Government of Assam vide Memo. E. 656643/523 dated 4th August 2025 has notified Wildlife Genetics Laboratory, Aaranyak and Mr. Udayan Borthakur, Director and Head, Wildlife Genetics Division, Aaranyak under Section 329 (4) of BNSS 2023 to facilitate wildlife genetic and wildlife forensic analysis. The first-of-its-kind recognition in any of the states of northeast India, will allow the WGL and its director to assist law-enforcement agencies in gathering DNA-based forensic evidence to tackle wildlife offences.

Balipara Foundation Recognises Aaranyak’s 35-Year Legacy in Biodiversity Conservation

Balipara Foundation honoured Aaranyak on completion of its 35 years of unrelenting efforts to complement conservation of biodiversity in the Northeast India since 1989 in a solemn ceremony held in Guwahati on Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 evening.

The Mark Shand Award – presented by Queen Camilla

Aaranyak has been presented with the esteemed ‘Mark Shand Award’ by UK-based prominent conservation charity Elephant Family in a glittering and star-studded event titled ‘Wonders of the wild’ at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London yesterday, May 13. Aaranyak’s senior scientist, Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, who heads its Elephant Research and Conservation Division, received the award on behalf of the organisation from Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla, Joint Presidents of Elephant Family.

SGP Best Innovation Award

Aaranyak has been conferred the ‘SGP Best Innovation Award’ jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) for its outstanding contribution in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, community empowerment and sustainable development.

Seuj Sandhan — In search of Green — Award 2024

Biju Phukan Best NGO Award

Aaranyak was honoured with the Biju Phukan Recognition Award 2023 by Royal Affair in the category of Best NGO in Northeast India.

মানাহ আৰু মানুহ (Manas and People) receives National Award

During the 68th National Film Awards ceremony in 2022, our collaborative non-feature documenraty মানাহ আৰু মানুহ (Manas and People) bagged the “Best Environment Film” award administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Government of India.

Institutional Award in the Field of Science and Technology 2017

Government of Assam conferred the “Institutional Award in the Field of Science and Technology 2017” to Aaranyak.

Lighthouse Activity Award 2014

Aaranyak received Prestigious “Lighthouse Activity Award 2014” for Community Based Flood Early Warning System (CB-FEWS).

Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana- Good Practices Award 2015

Aaranyak received the ‘ Sansad Adarsha Gram Yojana- Good Practices Award’, from the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India during an event in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on 24th September 2015.
The award was conferred for the ‘Traditional Community Managed Irrigation System in Subankhata, Baksa District, Assam, jointly to Aaranyak and the Uttar Ancholik Dong Bundh Committee, Subankhata.

2012 Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Purashkar

Government of India conferred “Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar-2012” for significant and measurable contributions in the field of environment protection and improvement.

2011 RBS ‘Earth Heroes’ Award

Royal Bank of Scotland conferred the RBS ‘Earth Guardian’Award 2011 to Aaranyak under its RBS ‘Earth Heroes’ Awards. The RBS ‘Earth Heroes’ Awards, recognize and honor individuals and institutions who have worked exceptionally hard to preserve and protect ecosystems.

Affiliation as Research Institute under Dibrugarh University

Aaranyak signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dibrugarh University in February 2018 recognising the importance of research and development and intend to form a nucleus for promoting excellent quality manpower in the fields of wildlife research, biodiversity monitoring, water & climate change and related fields.

SIRO Recognition for Aaranyak

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has recognized Aaranyak as a “Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO)” with effect from 27 Feb 2006 based on the salient research work carried out by the researchers of Aaranyak.

Aaranyak joins the IUCN

Aaranyak has joined the worlds largest conservation organisation – the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as a member. The IUCN Council, at its 75th meeting held in Gland from 18-20 November 2010, approved the admission of Aaranyak as a Member of the Union in the category national non-governmental organization.

Aaranyak was a memeber of NBWL

Aaranyak was selected as a member for three years of the National Board of Wildlife on 22 July, 2014, via a notofication of the Ministry of Environment and Forests constituting a truncated National Board for Wildlife.  The NBWL was set up under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Secretary General becomes ICFRE member

Effective November 2010 Dr Bibhab Talukdar, Secretary General of Aaranyak has been selected as a member of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an apex body in the national forestry research system, has been undertaking the holistic development of forestry research through need based planning, promoting, conducting and coordinating research, education and extension covering all aspects of forestry. The Council deals with the solution based forestry research in tune with the emerging issues in the sector, including global concerns such as climate change, conservation of biological diversity, combating desertification and sustainable management and development of resources. Topical research by the Council enhances public confidence in the ability of forest managers and researchers to successfully handle challenges related to natural resource management.