Discovery of Coral-Boring Sponge Cliona thomasi
Catalogued 45 marine sponge species along Maharashtra coast and identified 1,961 prokaryotes with 9 novel bioactive metabolites for marine biotechnology.
The Maharashtra Gene Bank Project focuses on the conservation, documentation and sustainable use of Maharashtra’s biological diversity and genetic resources. Through work across different ecosystems and livelihood systems, the project brings attention to the value of local biodiversity, traditional knowledge and community participation.
The project recognises biodiversity as an important foundation for ecological resilience, food and livelihood systems, and the long-term stewardship of natural resources. Its work spans different biological resources and landscapes, bringing together research, conservation and communication.
Bridging traditional community wisdom with modern scientific validation across Maharashtra.
Key scientific breakthroughs, field discoveries, and community conservation actions.
Official technical documents, catalogues & handbooks.
Darwin Core biological open repository coordinated by IISER Pune across 29 districts of Maharashtra.
Darwin Core biological standard, spatial queries & habitat overlap modeling.
NCBI GenBank links, DNA barcoding (COI, 16S, rbcL) & herbarium vouchers.
Multi-tier access protecting ethnobotany & registered farmer seed varieties.
Photographic documentation of in-situ conservation, seed savers, livestock breeds, and ecosystems across Maharashtra.