**Executive Summary**
The 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Society was held on March 21, 2026, in Dehradun to review the 2024–25 Annual Report and audited accounts. Chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the meeting highlighted achievements in species recovery and infrastructure mitigation. Key outcomes included the release of wildlife monitoring reports and a directive to convene former directors to shape the institute's future vision plan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Administrative Approvals and Reviews**
* Confirmed the minutes of the 26th AGM and reviewed the Action Taken Report from previous decisions.
* Submitted the WII Annual Report and audited accounts for the 2024–25 financial year for approval.
**Conservation and Research Achievements**
* Progressed species recovery programmes for Cheetah conservation and conservation breeding for the Great Indian Bustard.
* Advanced research led to the discovery of new species and the expansion of scientific publications.
* Noted initiatives in technology application and the establishment of the National River Research Centre.
* Strengthened capacity-building programmes and training initiatives.
**Infrastructure and Wildlife Monitoring**
* Released a report on wildlife underpasses on the Dehradun–Delhi Highway (NH-72A), providing evidence of wildlife using the world’s longest highway viaduct.
* Released a long-term monitoring report (2019–2025) on wildlife crossing structures on NH-44 through the Pench Tiger Reserve, highlighting multi-species usage.
**Strategic Planning**
* The Chair recommended convening consultation meetings with Former Directors of WII to help shape a formal vision plan for the institute.
**Impact Analysis**
**Wildlife Institute of India (WII)**
**Impact**
The institute received formal recognition for its research and conservation achievements over the past year. It serves as a central body for training and advisory support for wildlife conservation.
**Action Required**
The institute must convene consultation meetings with its Former Directors to draft a strategic vision plan.
**Central and State Governments**
**Impact**
Governments benefit from the WII’s research, training, and advisory support to inform policy and conservation efforts.
**Action Required**
Utilize the newly released data on wildlife crossings and species recovery to inform infrastructure planning and environmental management.
**Former Directors of WII**
**Impact**
These individuals have been identified as critical stakeholders in shaping the future trajectory of the institution.
**Action Required**
Attend upcoming consultation meetings to provide expert input for the WII vision plan.
Key Entities Referenced
Wildlife Institute of India (WII): An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, serving as the central body for wildlife research, training, and advisory support.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary Union Ministry responsible for environmental policy, planning, and coordination, overseeing the Wildlife Institute of India.
Shri Bhupender Yadav: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change who chaired the AGM and provided strategic direction for the institute's vision plan.
National River Research Centre: A technology-focused initiative established for river research as part of the Wildlife Institute of India’s expanded research mandate.
Species recovery programmes: Conservation and breeding initiatives led by the WII specifically for endangered species such as the Cheetah and Great Indian Bustard.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Union Environment Minister chairs 27th Annual
General Meeting of Wildlife Institute of India
Society in Dehradun
Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 5:13PM by PIB Delhi
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:
1. Monitoring of Wildlife Underpasses in Dehradun–Delhi Highway (NH-72A), documenting the
first evidence of wildlife use of the world’s longest highway viaduct.
2. 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.*****
VM
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