Dr. Ullas Karanth with students at Nagarahole National Park

Renowned wildlife biologist Dr.George Schaller inaugurates the MSc program in 2004

The conservation of India’s wildlife and biological diversity depends critically on sound professional management of conservation areas in the future. This is a massive effort in which both the governmental and non-governmental sectors play important roles. Although substantial financial, manpower and other investments in wildlife conservation have been made by the Indian Government, multilateral aid agencies, and NGOs in recent years, the lack of professionals who can design, implement and monitor conservation projects rooted in sound science has been a serious impediment to progress.The goal of the Masters Degree program is to address this critical gap, by building capacity in-country in a cost-effective manner.

The MSc course aims to produce practicing wildlife biologists who can actively promote and advance science-based conservation of wild lands and wildlife. To be effective conservation scientists in real life, they must also understand relevant social, political and economic issues that impact wildlife conservation. They must possess communication and problem-solving skills to be effective conservation leaders. At the same time, their core competence in wildlife sciences and mission and commitment to saving wildlife
must remain uncompromised.