Parliament Question: DNA Sequencing Facility at Wildlife Institute of India

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 DNA Sequencing Facility at Wildlife Institute of India

3658. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has strengthened technology-based wildlife conservation systems through the establishment of the Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) facility and digital databases at the Wildlife Institute of India;

(b) if so, the manner in which advanced genetic research and forensic capabilities are aiding biodiversity protection, disease surveillance and curbing illegal wildlife trade;

(c) the current status, nationwide outcomes and public participation milestones achieved under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign for large-scale afforestation and for social auditing; and

(d) the details of institutional mechanisms and digital portals established to ensure survival assessment, monitoring and long-term maintenance of plantations? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b): Advanced Sequencing and Automation Infrastructure has been installed in the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Next-generation sequencing facility provides faster genetic analysis thereby improving research in species conservation, forensic investigation of illegal wildlife related articles, disease surveillance, ecological and evolutionary studies, and evidence based biodiversity protection and population monitoring across the country.

(c) and (d): The Government has launched the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ to encourage citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers and promote mass participation in tree plantation activities. Tree plantation is also undertaken across sectors by various Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, NGOs, private sector entities, institutions and other stakeholders. ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign recorded a total of 291 Crore saplings planted since its launch in June 2024. This campaign employs Meri LiFE portal, a real-time digital platform to facilitate recording and tracking of plantation-related activities. Monitoring of plantations by the State Governments follow a multi-tier mechanism, including field inspections, inter-circle verification by concerned State officials, submission of physical and financial progress reports, geo-tagged photographs and kml files, and third-party audits, wherever applicable. Awareness activities for citizen are also undertaken to promote post-plantation care and maintenance of saplings.

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