Wildlife Institute of India

Wildlife Institute of India
Nature is our password and conservation the creed
Sharing the boundaries with the famous Rajaji National Park in Dehradun, the Wildlife Institute of India is another gem in the crown of this majestic city of Dehradun. Abbreviated as WII, the Wildlife Institute of India was set up at Chandrabani in DehraDun in 1982. Situated at the southern end of the Doon valley, the campus resembles a mini sanctuary surrounded with lush green grassy downs interspersed with sal forests which supports 556 plant species, 309 birds species, 21 reptile species, 11 amphibians, 20 wild mammal species, 73 butterfly species, 16 moth species, 10 fish species and over 100 species of spiders. The institute was set up with an aim to instruct both governments as well as non-government personnel, counsel on matters of conserving and managing resources of wildlife and to carry out research works. Autonomy was accorded to the WII in April 1986.
Wildlife Institute of India is an autonomous body which falls under the administration of Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Indian Government. The board is chaired by the Union Minister and has representatives from the centre and state governments as well as Institutions and Academia. The institute carries out research work in the fields of study which includes Biodiversity, policy related to wildlife, Endangered Species, Wildlife management, forensic Wildlife research work, Eco-development, Spatial Modelling and study related to changing climatic conditions. They provide research facilities to help conduct proper conservation planning. These research facilities include remote sensing and GIS, various forensics related work, herbarium, laboratory and on electronic library.
India’s rich biodiversity has been considerably depleted in the last half century of rapid urbanization and population growth. So, the need was felt to set up an institution which could cater to the needs of conserving the wildlife across the country and would thoroughly look up the forests historically and manage all related prospects along with conserving the biodiversity without harming the common people’s interest. This resulted in establishment of Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun in 1982.
Mr. V. B. Sahara was the founder of this institute. Mr. H. S. Panwar was elected as the first director of this institute who served the institute between 1985 to 1994. Various trained officials personally provided their help in the field of study and to protect the wildlife in India. WII today hold its position in one of the top popular wildlife studies and career centers.
However for WII, every task management was very challenging. At the time of their establishment, forest management was included with wildlife and wildlife science until it is not included in university curriculum. After the establishment the institute organized everything and developed every resource which helped them to fulfil their task. Wildlife Institute of India enhanced their field of programs for integration of biological, socioeconomic and human aspects to a greater range of locally and geographical regions. In today’s scenario WII’s main task is not only to give protection to some new splendid species but their task also extended toward human living vicinity as well.
All research projects concerned with the Wildlife Institute of India are conducted at every site available in every corner of the country. Their main task is to find out the scientific information for conservation. Their faculties are always updating their knowledge by studying in the current field and the latest technologies. As time goes by, WII succeeded to establish itself in world’s top most environmental organizations. With their steady progress in all fields, they succeeded to get proper guidance and help for institutional building, upgradtion for modern technology, faculty development, and creating scientific infrastructure. These help and guidance worked out well with scientific institutions, wildlife organizations, and universities in national and international level.
April 1986 is known to be another revolution in the history of WII. The pace of growth has increased over by this time and WII was granted the status of autonomous institution. Many countries in South and South East Asia region sent their training personnel to WII for a training program to increase their knowledge. Nowadays the Wildlife Institute of India is considered as one of the important regional trainings, wildlife management and conservation institute.
Like all other organizations, this organization also has a particular mission. Its mission is developing wildlife science and to promote its application in conservation, consonant with cultural and social economic milestone. Today the main focus areas of Wildlife Institute of India includes:
- To build up scientific knowledge of wildlife resources across all parts of the country.
- To provide training at various levels for conservation and management of wildlife.
- To provide information and advise on specific wildlife managemnt issues.
- To collaborate with other international organizations in the field of wildlife research, management and training.
- It acts like a regional centre with international importance for wildlife and natural resource conservation.
Wildlife researchers and officials are properly trained by WII which is run by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. The experts are dedicated to their students to help them in studying and protecting wildlife. The institute organizes two regular programes for forest officers which are open to Indian and foreign nationals . One is a post graduate diploma course in wildlife management which is a 10 months course and begins on 1st september every year and another is a 3 months certificate course in wildlife management which begins on the 1st of november every year. One can also enhance their interests by enrolling in post-graduate degree in wildlife science as well. People need to complete their 15 year formal education course. They need to secure a minimum of 55% aggregate in bachelor science degree with biology as a major subject. Forestry, agricultural and environmental science degrees are also acceptable. The institute has trained over 1084 professional since 1977 which includes 173 trainees from 21 countries.
The Wildlife Institute of India consists of various sub organization as well such as Animal Ecology and conservation biology, Eco development planning management, habitat ecology, endangered species management, landscape level planning and management and also other types of organization who are related to ecological biodiversity and wildlife protection.
For more information please contact :
DIRECTOR
Wildlife Institute Of India,
Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248001
Uttarakhand
Telephone : +91 135 2640111 – 115, Fax : +91 135 2640117
E- mail : wii@wii.gov.in, Website : www.wii.gov.in