Wildlife Institute Society Meeting Highlights

Key Highlights from the 28th Meeting of the Reconstituted Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Society

1. Constitutional and Policy Framework

• Vision 2047: The meeting emphasized aligning WII's research, training, and policy-support frameworks with the national blueprint of "Developed India @ 2047".
• Biodiversity Conservation: The significant role of scientific research in preserving India’s biological heritage was underscored.

2. Government Schemes and Initiatives

• Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution: The roadmap for wildlife management will prioritize solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, technology-based management, and capacity building.

3. Judicial and Institutional Developments

• Reconstitution of WII Society: This meeting was the first since the reconstitution of the WII Society in April 2023, following the end of the previous members' tenure.
• Institutional Achievements: Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj, the director of WII, presented historical achievements of the institute and assessed current institutional priorities.

4. Participation and Representation

• Active participation from newly appointed and ex-officio members, including:
  • Atul Garg, Member of Parliament
  • Praveen Mali, Gujarat State Minister for Forest and Environment
• Representation from various states across India, involving senior officials from the Ministry, prominent non-official scientists, academicians, and conservationists.

5. Strategic Outcomes

• Reported on actions taken from previous meetings, highlighting strategic outcomes and key suggestions derived from recent discussions among former directors.

6. Future Directions

• A robust agenda for the next three years was established, focusing on the scientific objectives of the WII.

This meeting reflects the government's commitment to addressing wildlife management challenges through collaborative efforts and scientific advancements, aligning with national development goals.