In a significant development, the Government of Meghalaya has notified the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of Aaranyak and its Director, with the aim of utilizing their expertise in wildlife genetics and forensic DNA analysis, as required by Section 329 (4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This marks the first official recognition of a laboratory and an expert in the wildlife sector under the BNSS, signifying a pivotal step towards aiding wildlife crime investigations and control via forensic evidence collection through DNA sampling techniques.
The notification follows an order from Meghalaya’s Governor on March 24, 2026, and was issued by Mr. M.K.B. Reddy, IFS, Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department. The BNSS, 2023 represents a paradigm shift towards scientific policing in India, mandating forensic examinations at crime scenes for serious offenses, specifically those punishable by seven years or more of incarceration. This requirement ensures that forensic investigations become a legal necessity rather than a mere option, ultimately aimed at enhancing the quality and transparency of evidence, improving conviction rates, and minimizing dependence on confessions.
Mr. Udayan Borthakur, the Director of WGL, expressed his appreciation towards the Forest and Environment Department for this significant responsibility, stating that the government’s notification is a major advancement in their support for wildlife crime investigations in Meghalaya. He emphasized that the laboratory’s scientific expertise will bolster law enforcement’s capability to gather forensic evidence for wildlife offenses, which could substantially elevate conviction rates in the future, building upon a previous recognition by the Government of Assam under the same BNSS legislation.
Established in 2008, WGL Aaranyak holds the distinction of being the only conservation genetics and wildlife DNA forensics facility in northeast India. Over the past decade, the laboratory has been instrumental in assisting government authorities with nearly two hundred wildlife crime investigations, showcasing its capability in genetic analysis and on-site DNA sampling. Beyond its forensic functions, WGL has also spearheaded more than twenty-two conservation genetic research projects targeting endangered wildlife species both in India and internationally.