The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) offers a specialized course in Natural Heritage Conservation, aimed at building capacity in the integrated management of India’s natural and cultural heritage. Recognizing the interdependence between ecological systems and cultural landscapes, this program is primarily delivered through WII’s World Heritage Cell, which works closely with UNESCO and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.

Wii Background

Course Overview

The Certificate Course on Natural Heritage Conservation (CNHC) is a short-term professional training program designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for conserving natural World Heritage Sites and other heritage-rich landscapes in India.

Objectives

  • To provide an understanding of the concept of World Heritage and the criteria for natural heritage listing under UNESCO guidelines.
  • To build technical capacity in ecological monitoring, site management planning, and community engagement in natural heritage sites.
  • To develop skills in heritage documentation, risk assessment, and the use of geospatial tools for heritage mapping.
  • To promote the integration of cultural and natural values in conservation strategies.

Target Audience

  • Forest officers and protected area managers
  • Conservation practitioners and NGO personnel
  • Academics, heritage professionals, and architects
  • Postgraduate students and researchers with an interest in heritage conservation

Course Content (Indicative)

  • Principles of Natural and Cultural Heritage
  • UNESCO World Heritage Convention: Processes and Guidelines
  • Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation
  • Community Participation and Sustainable Tourism
  • Geoinformatics and Mapping of Heritage Sites
  • Case Studies from Indian World Heritage Sites (e.g., Western Ghats, Kaziranga, Keoladeo, and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve)

Duration and Format

The course is typically 2 to 4 weeks long and conducted at the WII campus in Dehradun.

It includes classroom lectures, group work, practical sessions, and field visits to relevant heritage sites.

Eminent experts from WII, UNESCO, the Archaeological Survey of India, and other institutions serve as faculty.

Certification and Impact

Upon successful completion, participants receive a Certificate from WII, and are better prepared to manage and conserve World Heritage Sites and natural landscapes of outstanding universal value. This course has significantly contributed to enhancing the capacity of site managers and fostering an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation in India.

In summary, the heritage conservation course at WII plays a vital role in bridging biodiversity conservation with cultural stewardship, thereby supporting holistic and sustainable heritage management across India.