In a major boost to biodiversity conservation and scientific research in Northeast India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially notified the Natural History Museum (NHM) at Mizoram University as a Designated Repository under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The notification, issued on June 19, 2026, follows the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and makes the museum India’s 21st Designated Repository. The recognition places Mizoram among the country’s key centres for preserving authenticated biological specimens and advancing biodiversity research.
Major Milestone for Biodiversity Conservation
Designated Repositories play a critical role in India’s biodiversity conservation framework by preserving authenticated biological specimens collected under the Biological Diversity Act. These collections serve as permanent scientific references for species identification, ecological research, conservation planning, and environmental monitoring.
With the new designation, the Natural History Museum at Mizoram University will become an important regional hub for safeguarding the rich biological diversity of Northeast India.
Officials said the move will strengthen scientific documentation while ensuring that valuable biological collections are preserved closer to their natural habitats.
Repository to Preserve Flora, Fauna and Newly Discovered Species
The museum will maintain voucher specimens of a wide range of plant and animal groups found across the region.
Its collections will include pteridophytes (ferns and allied plants), macrofungi, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, moths, beetles, butterflies, and other important biological groups.
The institution will also serve as the official repository for type specimens of newly discovered species from the region—reference specimens that are essential for formally describing new species in scientific research.
According to the ministry, these collections will support taxonomy, species identification, biodiversity monitoring, traceability, and long-term conservation while providing valuable data for ecological restoration following habitat degradation, natural disasters, or species decline.
Located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot
Established in 2022 under Mizoram University, a Central University, the museum is strategically located within the globally significant Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the world’s richest centres of biological diversity.
The ministry noted that the region supports more than 7,500 species of flowering plants and over 2,000 faunal species, making it one of India’s most biologically diverse landscapes.
Researchers at the museum have developed particular expertise in documenting lesser-studied organisms, including pteridophytes, macrofungi, moths, beetles, and other invertebrate groups that play vital roles in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Protecting Mizoram’s Unique Wildlife
The designation will also strengthen efforts to document and conserve endemic species unique to the region.
Among them is Leptobrachella tamdil, a recently described amphibian discovered in the forests of Mizoram, highlighting the state’s growing importance in global biodiversity research.
Before receiving its new status, the museum had already preserved more than 500 biological specimens, including herbarium sheets and wet-preserved collections. Its scientific team comprises specialists from Mizoram University working across seven taxonomic groups, providing expertise in a wide range of biological disciplines.
Strengthening India’s National Biodiversity Network
Officials believe the designation will improve collaboration between the museum, the Mizoram State Biodiversity Board, and regional research institutions while reducing the logistical challenges associated with transporting biological specimens to repositories elsewhere in India.
The museum now joins a prestigious national network that includes institutions such as the Botanical Survey of India, the Zoological Survey of India, and other notified repositories.
The ministry stated that the recognition also supports National Biodiversity Target 4 under India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030), which focuses on strengthening ex situ conservation and preserving genetic diversity in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The recognition marks a significant milestone for Mizoram University and reinforces Northeast India‘s growing contribution to biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and the long-term protection of India’s unique natural heritage.
