Shillong, Mar 30: Meghalaya has recognised the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of Aaranyak, a bio-diversity conservation organisation, under Section 329(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, establishing a strong forensic support for wildlife crime investigations.
A notification was issued on March 24, 2026. This positions the WGL as a key player in leveraging wildlife genetics to enhance forensic investigations in the state.
The laboratory’s expertise in wildlife forensic DNA analysis will play a crucial role in assisting law enforcement agencies in the meticulous gathering of evidence, thereby supporting the prosecution of wildlife crimes.
WGL Director Udayan Borthakur expressed optimism regarding this initiative, highlighting the expected increase in conviction rates for wildlife crimes as a direct outcome of these advancements.
The recognition of the WGL and its capabilities marks a significant step forward not only for Meghalaya but also sets a precedent as seen with the Assam government’s prior acknowledgment. This transformation underscores a broader commitment to combat wildlife crime through scientific collaboration and rigorous forensic inquiry.
WGL Aaranyak, established in 2008 is the sole conservation genetics and wildlife DNA forensics facility in Northeast. The laboratory has supported nearly 200 wildlife crime investigations and led over 22 conservation genetics research projects on endangered species.
