The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) invites applications for the 9th Course on Wildlife Conservation for Wildlife Enthusiasts scheduled from 17 - 26 March, 2025. This course is designed to provide professionals, particularly those without formal training or experience in wildlife biology/conservation, with a foundational understanding of wildlife conservation. The course includes five days of classroom sessions at WII, followed by a five-day field visit to a Protected Area (PA) near Dehradun. A total of 20 participants will be selected for this program. The training fee for the course is Rs. 35,000/person (Rupees thirty-five thousand only), which covers the cost of food and accommodation at WII and field site, as well as travel to and back to the field site. At WII accommodation will be provided on a twin-sharing basis and at the field site it will be in tented/Forest Rest House shared accommodation.
Applications are invited from interested candidates which should include a copy of their C.V. and a brief write-up explaining their motivation to participate in this short course (as per the prescribed format). Selection of candidates will be based on their write-up and C.V. Applications should reach the Course Director, Dr. R. Suresh Kumar, Scientist – F by email (suresh [at] wii [dot] gov [dot] in) with a copy to Ms. Amarjeet Kaur, Scientist - C amarjeet[at]wii[dot]gov[dot]in no later than 20th February 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be intimated about their selection for the course by 25th February 2025. Selected candidates will be required to sign an indemnity bond at the time of joining and are required to be medically fit. Participants completing the course will receive a certificate at the end of the program.
The course will include lectures by WII faculty and experienced researchers covering Indian biogeography, wildlife conservation issues and mitigation strategies across the country, science and management of large mammal populations, wildlife trade and dealing with wildlife crime, managing wild animals in stress, importance of citizen science initiatives. There will also be few evening lectures on select conservation projects being carried out by WII.
The field visit will include a five-day trip to a Protected Area near to Dehradun. The participants will be taken on long treks to various places and will camp within the PA. During the treks the participants will be introduced to natural history observations, jungle crafts etc. “Wildlife Watch” will be an integral part of this course. The resource persons will also talk to the participants in the field about wildlife management and habitat restoration, estimation of tiger population, socio-economic issues and challenges facing PA managers. During the first week of the course the participants will also be taken on a day long trip to Asan Conservation Reserve and Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.