The National Workshop on Mainstreaming Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of India held at Zoological Survey of India on March 23 and 24. During these two days’ event, deliberations on mainstreaming seaweeds, seagrasses, mangroves, crustaceans, marine benthos, fishes, deep sea fauna, ornamental fishes and protected marine animals have been made by the experts from across the country. The valedictory function of the workshop was held on March 24. The Director of Zoological Survey of India, Dr. Kailash Chandra gave an overview about the marine biodiversity of Indian seas and their present status and challenges posed for conservation. Dr. Chandra emphasised to undertake studies on faunal diversity of mangroves, seagrass and seaweed ecosystems as very limited knowledge on their faunal composition have been documented so far. He further stated to initiate the taxonomical identification of deep sea animals as most of these animals are yet to be explored from Indian context. Dr. T. Balasubramanian, former Dean and Director of Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University opined that ZSI to serve as a nodal agency for monitoring the marine biodiversity of our country with the involvement of academic institutions across the maritime states. He further stated that marine biodiversity to be made as a part of curriculum in schools to create awareness about sustainable utilization and biodiversity conservation. Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, ICAR Central Island Agricultural Research Institute concerned about the development of the database on marine biodiversity and dissemination of technology through training and capacity building for the assessment of status of marine organisms in India. Dr. K. Ravichandran, Chief Conservator of Forests, Andaman and Nicobar Administration informed that India has enormous data on marine bioresources, however all these data are available with various institutions of our country. It is prerequisite to collate all these information available from different institutions to draw an effective policy on biodiversity conservation. Further he appealed all the institutions to share their data to each other for this cause. The Workshop was attended by 60 participants from Pondicherry University, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Indian Council of Medical Research, AYUSH, Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Botanical Survey of India, Fishery Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India. Earlier Officer-in-Charge of Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair, Dr. C. Raghunathan welcomed the gathering and Additional Director of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, Mr. K.C. Gopi proposed vote of thanks.