Mizoram's Natural History Museum notified as India's 21st Designated Repository under Biological Diversity Act, 2002

📌 Summary:

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change designated the Natural History Museum (NHM), Mizoram University, Aizawl, as a Designated Repository under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (notified 19 June 2026)
• NHM becomes India's 21st Designated Repository, on recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
• Will preserve authenticated voucher specimens of flora (pteridophytes, macrofungi) and fauna (reptiles, amphibians, fishes, moths, beetles, butterflies) and serve as depository for type specimens of newly discovered species
• Located within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot; NE region harbours 7,500+ flowering plant species and 2,000+ faunal species
• Supports species like the recently described amphibian Leptobrachella tamdil, discovered in Mizoram
• Advances National Biodiversity Target 4 of India's NBSAP (2024-2030), aligned with Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment — ex-situ conservation, biodiversity governance framework, and India's commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Designated Repositories are notified under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, on NBA recommendation
• NHM Mizoram = India's 21st Designated Repository
• Located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot; recent species: Leptobrachella tamdil (amphibian)
• Advances Target 4 of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and India's NBSAP (2024-2030)

🔑 Key Term: Designated Repository — an institution notified under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to preserve authenticated biological (voucher/type) specimens for conservation and research.