Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is India’s premier autonomous institute dedicated to wildlife research, training, and conservation. Established in 1982 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, the institute plays a central role in advancing scientific knowledge of biodiversity, ecology, and wildlife management. It also serves as a training centre for professionals in forestry and wildlife sciences, both nationally and internationally.

Establishment and Objectives

The WII was established to meet the growing need for a specialised institution focusing on wildlife research and management in India. Its objectives include:

• Conducting research on biodiversity, wildlife populations, and ecosystems.
• Training officers of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), State Forest Departments, and international participants.
• Advising the government on wildlife conservation policy and management.
• Supporting the implementation of major conservation programmes, such as Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
• Creating a scientific database for informed decision-making on wildlife conservation.

Campus and Facilities

The institute is located on a 200-acre campus at Chandrabani, Dehradun, surrounded by the Shivalik hills and near the Rajaji National Park. The location provides a natural setting for field-based research and training.
Facilities include:

• Laboratories for genetics, GIS, remote sensing, animal ecology, and habitat analysis.
• Herbarium and natural history museum for reference collections.
• Library with extensive resources on wildlife and ecology.
• Hostels and residential facilities for trainees and researchers.
• E-learning and digital resources for global outreach.

Research and Conservation Programmes

WII conducts scientific research across India on diverse aspects of ecology and wildlife management. Major areas include:

• Wildlife Population Studies: Monitoring endangered species such as tigers, snow leopards, elephants, and gharials.
• Biodiversity Inventories: Surveys of flora and fauna in protected areas.
• Habitat Ecology: Studies on grasslands, wetlands, forests, and alpine ecosystems.
• Conservation Genetics: Using molecular tools to understand population diversity and viability.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Developing strategies for coexistence.
• Climate Change Research: Analysing its impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.

WII has been instrumental in preparing India’s Tiger Status Reports, conducting the All-India Tiger Estimation, and supporting species recovery programmes such as the Vulture Conservation Project and Snow Leopard Monitoring.

Training and Capacity Building

The institute is a key centre for professional training in wildlife management.

• Diploma and Certificate Courses: For Indian Forest Service probationers, State Forest officers, and international trainees.
• M.Sc. Programme in Wildlife Science: Affiliated with Saurashtra University and later with the Forest Research Institute (FRI) University, offering advanced training in ecology and conservation.
• Specialised Workshops: On topics such as GIS, wildlife forensics, and habitat management.

National and International Collaboration

WII collaborates with multiple national and global organisations:

• National: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), and universities.
• International: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Smithsonian Institution.
• WII is also a regional training centre for the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN).

Governance and Autonomy

The WII functions as an autonomous institution under the MoEFCC. Its Governing Council includes representatives from government agencies, scientific institutions, and conservation experts. The Director of WII oversees its academic and administrative activities.

Achievements and Significance

• Played a pivotal role in India’s recognition as a global leader in tiger conservation.
• Contributed to the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) mapping of protected areas.
• Developed species recovery plans for endangered fauna, including hangul (Kashmir stag), great Indian bustard, gharial, and Asiatic lions.
• Provided technical expertise for wildlife corridors and mitigation of infrastructure impacts on biodiversity.
• Trained hundreds of wildlife managers, forest officers, and scientists who continue to work in conservation across India and abroad.

The Wildlife Institute of India has been at the forefront of scientific wildlife research and conservation policy for over four decades. Its work has been critical in shaping India’s protected area management, species recovery programmes, and ecological research. By combining science, training, and policy support, WII continues to serve as a cornerstone institution in safeguarding India’s natural heritage.