Union Environment Minister chairs 27th Annual General Meeting of Wildlife Institute of India Society in Dehradun
The 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Society was held today at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun, under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav.
The Society confirmed the minutes of the 26th AGM and reviewed the Action Taken Report on the decisions taken in the previous meeting. The Annual Report of WII for the financial year 2024–25 along with audited accounts was considered for approval.
During the meeting, the Society took note of key achievements of the WII during the past year. These include progress in species recovery programmes such as Cheetah conservation, conservation breeding initiatives for Great Indian Bustard, and long-term monitoring of wildlife crossings on major infrastructure projects.
The Institute also advanced research and documentation efforts leading to discovery of new species, expansion of scientific publications, and strengthening of capacity-building programmes. Initiatives relating to application of technology and establishment of the National River Research Centre, were also noted.
Following documents were released during the meeting:
- Monitoring of Wildlife Underpasses in Dehradun–Delhi Highway (NH-72A), documenting the first evidence of wildlife use of the world’s longest highway viaduct.
- Long-term Monitoring of Wildlife Crossing Structures on NH-44 through Pench Tiger Reserve (2019–2025) highlighting extensive multi-species usage of mitigation structures.
The Chair suggested that consultation meetings with Former Directors of WII be convened to shape the vision plan for the WII.
The Wildlife Institute of India is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and plays a key role in wildlife research, training, capacity building and advisory support to Central and State Governments in matters relating to wildlife conservation.
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