Acknowledging the demonstrated capability of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in the field of wildlife, biodiversity, and natural heritage conservation, UNESCO and Government of India decided to establish the Category 2 Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region at Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun with a formal signing of the agreement on 2nd September, 2015.

A new building for the Centre was inaugurated by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India at an event organized in the premises of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun on 10^th March, 2018. After inaugurating and taking a tour of the new building, the Hon’ble Minister addressed the large gathering of distinguished guests along with staff and researchers of the Wildlife Institute of India by lauding the capacity and competence of WII to have achieved this prestigious recognition. Dr Harsh Vardhan noted with pleasure that this Centre had the unique distinction of being the first Centre in the world on natural heritage conservation. He acknowledged the Centre’s activities over the last three years of its functioning and urged the Centre to further strengthen India’s leadership in the Asia and the Pacific region as per its mandate. On this occasion he planted a sapling of Magnolia champaca.

The Minister highlighted the support from the Government of India by pointing out that the Cabinet approval for establishing this Centre was given in the meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Foundation Stone of the building was also laid by Shri Prakash Javadekar ji, the then Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge). Dr. Harsh Vardhan reiterated the Government’s commitment not only to strengthen the Category 2 Centre but also to take forward the proposal for designating Wildlife Institute of India as an Institute of National Importance (INI) to its logical conclusion.

Shri Siddhanta Das, the Director General of Forests & Special Secretary to Government of India graced the occasion as Guest of Honour and congratulated the Wildlife Institute of India for the establishment of this Category 2 Centre. Shri Das too recalled the support of the Ministry to this endeavour and expressed confidence that the Centre will successfully fulfil its mandate of natural heritage conservation both within India and its neighbourhood.

Dr.V.B.Mathur, the Director, Wildlife Institute of India and UNESCO Category 2 Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region, expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister and acknowledged the presence of Shri Siddhanta Das, the Director General of Forests & Special Secretary to Government of India and Shri M.S. Negi, Additional Director General (Wildlife), MoEFCC along with other dignitaries for their presence on this momentous occasion. Dr. Mathur highlighted the long journey in the process of approval and establishment of this Centre and the Ministry’s generous support for the same. He mentioned that the C2C will function as an integral part of the Wildlife Institute of India by sharing its campus, management and human resources.  The Director reiterated the commitment to deliver high quality outcomes through activities of WII and the UNESCO Category 2 Centre.