Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference (IWEC) 2026
Why in News?
The Second Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference (IWEC), held in Haryana, brought together scientists, conservationists and policymakers to deliberate on emerging issues in wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management.
Key Highlights
- Experts observed that India’s ecological challenges are becoming more complex due to climate change, habitat fragmentation, invasive alien species and rapid urbanisation, making long-term scientific monitoring and interdisciplinary research increasingly important.
- The conference called for a shift from species-centric conservation towards ecosystem-based management that integrates biodiversity protection with livelihood security, climate resilience and sustainable development.
- Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), environmental DNA (eDNA), genomics and computational ecology are enhancing biodiversity assessment, species monitoring and ecological research.
- Despite technological advancements, participants emphasised that citizen science, long-term field studies and traditional ecological knowledge remain essential for evidence-based conservation planning.
- Deliberations also covered themes such as urban ecology, management of free-ranging dogs, disease ecology, wildlife corridors and the integration of ecological science into governance and public policy.
Key Concepts
Wildlife Ecology
- Wildlife ecology is the scientific study of interactions between wild animals, plants and their physical environment to understand ecosystem processes and guide conservation efforts.
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
- Environmental DNA refers to genetic material obtained from environmental samples such as water, soil or air, enabling scientists to detect the presence of species without directly observing or capturing them.
Wildlife Corridor
- A wildlife corridor is a natural or restored ecological pathway that connects fragmented habitats, allowing animals to move safely, maintain genetic diversity and support healthy wildlife populations.