Indian Cave Fungi Offer Potential for Medicine, Mining and Space Research

A new review published in the Geomicrobiology Journal documents the diversity and ecological roles of fungi in Indian cave systems, from the limestone caves of Meghalaya to the basaltic formations of the Deccan, revealing biotechnological potential across medicine, mineral processing and even astrobiology. The research opens a largely unexplored dimension of India's subterranean biodiversity.

The review, titled 'Geomycology of Indian Caves: Diversity, Ecology and Biotechnological Potential,' examines cave fungal communities as active ecological agents that shape geochemical cycles by recycling minerals and producing bioactive compounds. Indian caves have historically been studied through archaeological, religious and tourist lenses, but the microbial ecology of these systems — and the novel enzymes and compounds that cave fungi produce — represent a scientifically and commercially significant frontier that remains largely unmapped.

The biotechnological implications are significant across several sectors. Cave fungi that tolerate extreme pH, temperature and darkness produce enzymes with industrial potential in pharmaceutical synthesis, bioremediation of metal-contaminated sites and mineral processing — all areas of relevance to India's environmental and mining sectors. Some species have characteristics analogous to organisms studied for astrobiology, making cave geomycology a potential bridge between Earth ecology and the search for life in extreme extraterrestrial environments.

The publication calls for systematic bioprospecting surveys of India's cave systems under the regulatory framework of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, ensuring that any commercial benefits from cave biodiversity are shared equitably with local communities. India's First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol, submitted to the CBD in February 2026, acknowledges gaps in institutional capacity for ABS governance. Geomycology offers a concrete test case for building that capacity while generating scientific knowledge of lasting value.

Key figure — Published in Geomicrobiology Journal, covering caves across Meghalaya and Deccan