Assam’s Aaranyak Lab Gets Landmark Recognition for Wildlife Forensics
GUWAHATI: In a significant move to bolster wildlife crime investigations, the Assam government has formally recognised the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of conservation NGO Aaranyak and its Director, Udayan Borthakur, as an expert scientific body.
The recognition, a first of its kind in the state’s wildlife sector, was granted under Section 329 (4) of the newly introduced Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This crucial development means the lab’s expertise in wildlife genetics and forensic analysis can now be officially utilised by law enforcement agencies.
The formal notification, issued by the Special Chief Secretary of the Government of Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department on August 4, 2025, followed an order from the Governor of Assam. The recognition places WGL Aaranyak and Borthakur in a position to provide scientific evidence through DNA sampling and analysis, which is expected to be a game-changer in tackling wildlife offences. This new provision under the BNSS, 2023, is set to strengthen the prosecution process and lead to an increase in conviction rates for wildlife crimes.
Reacting to the news, Udayan Borthakur, the founder of WGL, expressed profound gratitude to the government. “We see the government’s notification as a major validation of our nearly two decades of work in this field,” he said, adding that his team also sees this as a great responsibility. He emphasized that the official recognition will enable the lab to better support law enforcement agencies by providing scientific backing for their investigations, thereby strengthening the legal framework against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Aaranyak’s Secretary General and Executive Director, also conveyed his sincere appreciation to the Assam Forest Department and the state government. He affirmed Aaranyak’s commitment to continue working with the government to achieve its conservation goals. Established in 2008, WGL Aaranyak stands as the sole conservation genetics and wildlife DNA forensics facility in the Northeast region. Over the past ten years, it has already provided critical genetic analysis and DNA sampling support in 135 wildlife crime investigations across the country. The lab has also been a pillar for conservation research, having completed more than two dozen projects on various threatened species both in India and abroad.
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