Government of Meghalaya recognizes Wildlife Genetics Laboratory of Aaranyak in Assam 

way2barak, March 30: Pursuant to Section 329 (4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Government of Meghalaya has notified the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of Aaranyak and its Director in a significant move.

The purpose of this notification is to leverage the expertise in wildlife genetics and wildlife forensic DNA analysis.

In Meghalaya, this marks the first recognition of a laboratory and an expert in the wildlife sector under the BNSS, 2023 for the purpose of assisting wildlife crime investigations and control through forensic evidence gathering using DNA sampling methods.

Following an order from the Governor of Meghalaya on March 24, 2026, Mr. M.K.B. Reddy, IFS, the Principal Secretary of the Govt. of Meghalaya, Forest and Environment Department has issued the notification.

The BNSS, 2023 marks a major shift towards scientific policing in India by mandating the use of forensic investigation in serious crimes. It requires forensic experts to examine crime scenes and collect evidence in offences punishable with seven years or more of imprisonment, along with audiovisual documentation of procedures.

This transforms forensics from a discretionary tool into a legal obligation, aiming to improve evidence quality, transparency, and conviction rates while reducing reliance on confessions.

Mr. Udayan Borthakur, Director of the facility at Aaranyak, expressed his gratitude to the Forest and Environment Department of Meghalaya for entrusting him and WGL with this critical responsibility, stating, “We regard the Government of Meghalaya’s notification as a significant step towards expanding our assistance in wildlife crime investigations in the state,” in response to the landmark achievement.

Borthakur asserts that the lab and its scientific expert will be able to assist law enforcement agencies in the collection of evidence for forensic analysis in wildlife offenses, which will result in increased conviction rates in the near future, as a result of the notifications issued by the Government of Meghalaya and the prior notification issued by the Government of Assam in this regard.

It is worth mentioning that similar recognition was accorded to Aaranyak’s WGL and its expert by the Government of Assam last year under the BNSS 2023.

WGL Aaranyak, which was established in 2008, is the sole conservation genetics and wildlife DNA forensics facility in northeast India. The laboratory has been a source of support for government authorities conducting nearly two hundred wildlife crime investigations over the past decade, providing genetic analysis and on-site DNA sampling.

Additionally, to forensic work, the laboratory has implemented over twenty-two conservation genetic research initiatives on endangered wildlife species in India and abroad.