All about courses in wildlife

You can take up wildlife at postgraduate level with any academic background. However some institutes may insist on relevant background. The following are some institutes offering wildlife at PG level.

National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, offers M.Sc in Wildlife Biology and Conservation.

The eligibility criterion is degree in any discipline with minimum 50 per cent marks and with a strong interest in Wildlife Biology. The upper age limit is 35 years. All applicants are required to take a written test.

The written test would assess the analytical and quantitative abilities (statistics and mathematics at +2 level), knowledge of basic biology and wildlife, awareness and interest in current affairs and conservation issues, and ability to communicate in English.

The test may consist of multiple choice questions and essays. Those short-listed from the entrance test will be invited for a personal interview in Bangalore.

For details, log on to www.ncs.resb.in

Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, affiliated to Saurashtra University offers M.Sc in Wildlife Science.

Candidates desirous of joining this course should have completed fifteen years of formal education and should have secured a minimum of 55 per cent aggregate in Bachelor of Science degree with biology major.

Degrees in veterinary science, forestry, agriculture and environmental sciences are also acceptable. Professional foresters, not more than 35 years of age, with suitable background and aptitude for wildlife research may also join the course on an in-service basis.

The admission is based on performance at national level entrance examination and interview. For details, log on to www.wii.gov.in

Some institutes offering courses in Forestry are:

Allahabad Agricultural Institute Deemed University, Allahabad, offers B.Sc in Forestry.

The eligibility criterion is +2 with PCM or PCB or Inter Agriculture. The institute offers M.Sc Forestry also.

The eligibility criterion for this course is B.Sc Agriculture or B.Sc Forestry or related field. For details, log on to www.aaidu.org

Kerala Agricultural University, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, offers B.Sc in Forestry.

The admission is based on performance at entrance examination conducted by the Government of Kerala. The institute offers M.Sc Forestry also.

The admission is based on performance at entrance examination conducted by the university. For details, log on to www.kau.edu

Unlike what most people believe, wildlife and forestry are areas that offer ample career opportunities, especially in government organisations and ministries.

The roles you can assume after the completion of the course are zoo curator, silviculturists, entomologists, dendrologists, forest range officer and ethologist.

Indian Forest Service is another golden option for candidates with wildlife and forestry background.

Some typical tasks in the area of forestry include regenerating forest wealth and resources, conserving forest by protecting them from fire, pests, disease and encroachment and farming to ensure supply of valuable supplies from the forest like timber and medicinal herbs.

NGOs and international organisations like World Wildlife Fund are some attractive options for employment.

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