CMLRE and ARI Named National Biodiversity Repositories
Why in the news
The National Biodiversity Authority gave two more institutions the status of national repository, taking the country’s total to 20.
Key facts
- Authority: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
- Law: Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- New repositories: CMLRE, Kochi, and ARI, Pune.
- Total repositories: now 20 across India.
- Collections: CMLRE keeps 3,500+ deep-sea specimens; ARI keeps microbial and fungal material.
- Purpose: better conservation and documentation of biological resources.
| Institution | City | Strength of collection |
|---|---|---|
| CMLRE | Kochi | More than 3,500 deep-sea specimens |
| ARI | Pune | Microbial and fungal diversity |
Significance
Designating national repositories gives biological collections an official home and supports record keeping, which helps conservation work.
Exam angle
- Notifying body: National Biodiversity Authority.
- Statute: Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Count after notification: 20 national repositories; locations: Kochi and Pune.