Dr. Dilip Chetry is a distinguished wildlife scientist and one of India’s leading primatologists, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to the conservation of the Hoolock Gibbon—India’s only ape species—and for his extensive work on biodiversity conservation across Assam and Northeast India. With over three decades of field and research experience, he has emerged as a driving force in bridging science, policy, and community action for the conservation of primates and their habitats in the Eastern Himalayas.

Dr. Chetry currently serves as the Director and Head of the Primate Research and Conservation Division at Aaranyak, a premier Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (www.aaranyak.org). Additionally, he also holds several key international positions, including Vice Chair of the South Asia Section of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group and Executive Member of the IUCN Section on Small Apes (SSA). He is also a founding partner of the Global Gibbon Network and an executive member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group ARRC Taskforce, contributing to global primate research and policy development.

Born and raised in Assam, Dr. Chetry’s fascination with wildlife began early in life, deeply inspired by his mother’s love for nature. He obtained his M.Sc. in Zoology and Ph.D. in Primate Behaviour and Ecology from the Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, and later enhanced his expertise through the Wildlife Conservation and Management Training Programme at the Smithsonian Institute, USA. A member of both the International Primatological Society and the American Society of Primatology, he has represented India at numerous international platforms and travelled to over 25 countries for research, training, and conferences related to wildlife conservation.

Over the years, Dr. Chetry has led extensive field studies on primates across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, focusing primarily on Hoolock Gibbon ecology, population monitoring, and habitat connectivity. His work has provided invaluable data that continue to shape conservation strategies and management plans at both state and national levels. He has been instrumental in developing the State-level Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Action Plans for Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura, in close collaboration with the Forest Departments and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.

As an author and researcher, Dr. Chetry’s academic contributions are substantial. He has published number of scientific papers in national and international journals and authored or co-authored eight books on the primates of Northeast India. His publications have not only advanced scientific understanding of India’s small ape but also highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of the region’s biodiversity.

Beyond research, Dr. Chetry has been a tireless advocate for community-based conservation. He has conducted numerous education and awareness programmes, reaching out to students, teachers, and rural communities living in and around gibbon habitats. His initiatives emphasize that local people are not just stakeholders but essential partners in long-term wildlife conservation. By engaging schools, NGOs, and grassroots institutions, he has fostered a strong conservation ethic across the region.

Dr. Chetry has also played a pivotal role in capacity building, having trained over 1,200 frontline forest and wildlife personnel and more than 1,000 students and young researchers in wildlife monitoring, habitat management, and conservation practices. His workshops on primate identification, behavioural studies, and field survey techniques have strengthened institutional capacity across Northeast India’s forest departments.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Chetry served as Honorary Wildlife Warden and Member of the State Wildlife Board, Government of Assam. In 2023, he was honoured with the “Parivesh Mitra Award” by the Government of Assam for his exemplary service to the cause of wildlife and environmental conservation.

His scientific leadership, passion for conservation, and commitment to mentoring young professionals have made him a respected figure both in India and abroad. Through his work, Dr. Chetry continues to emphasize the critical importance of conserving the Hoolock Gibbon as a flagship species for the forests of Northeast India—forests that are vital not only for wildlife but also for the ecological security of millions of people.

Today, Dr. Dilip Chetry’s enduring efforts stand as a beacon of hope for primate conservation in South Asia. His life’s work exemplifies dedication, perseverance, and the power of science to inspire positive change. By integrating research, education, and policy advocacy, he has built a legacy that continues to shape the future of biodiversity conservation in Northeast India and beyond.