The recognition, granted under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, also makes the NHM&RC India's 21st Designated Repository. The official notification was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change following approval by the National Biodiversity Authority.

The designation authorises the museum to permanently maintain and preserve voucher specimens of flora and fauna, serving as an officially recognised reference centre for biodiversity research, conservation and scientific documentation.

The Natural History Museum was established under a Department of Biotechnology-funded project titled 'Mizoram Biodiversity Documentation and Establishment of a Natural History Museum of Mizoram,' sanctioned in 2019 with a budget of Rs 4.51 crore. The project was led by Prof. John Zothanzama of Mizoram University's Department of Biotechnology, with Prof. N. Senthil Kumar and Prof. Esther Lalhmingliani serving as co-coordinators.

Over three years, researchers documented various components of Mizoram's biodiversity, including beetles, mushrooms, moths, amphibians and soil ecosystems, while simultaneously establishing a repository for preserving biological specimens collected across the state.

Following the completion of the project in November 2022, Mizoram University assumed responsibility for managing the museum. The university subsequently initiated the process of obtaining Designated Repository status from the National Biodiversity Authority, with Prof. John Zothanzama, along with curators Dr. R. Vanlalpeka and Dr. Lalrotluanga, leading the effort.

The application for recognition was submitted to the National Biodiversity Authority in March 2023. After consultations with the Mizoram State Biodiversity Board, submission of additional documentation, and an on-site inspection conducted by the Authority in February 2026, the proposal received approval during the Authority's 78th meeting held in May this year.

Officials said the recognition strengthens the museum's role as a centre for biodiversity documentation, conservation, research and public education in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the world's richest and most ecologically significant regions.

In addition to the national recognition, the NHM&RC has established an international collaboration with the Natural History Museum, London, under a SPARC-funded project on biodiversity documentation and museum repository development in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

The museum has also developed a dedicated digital database and website to support research and improve public access to information on the region's biodiversity.

University officials said the recognition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of researchers from Mizoram University and Pachhunga University College, who contributed to documenting and preserving the state's rich biological diversity over the past several years.

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