India Hosts ICCON 2025 to Tackle Urgent Biodiversity Challenges

India is set to host its premier conservation science and policy event, the Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) 2025, from 25th to 27th June at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. The three-day event, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), will bring together over 500 participants from India and the Global South. The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, and will serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration among scientists, policymakers, forest officers, NGOs, and youth, all working toward addressing India’s pressing biodiversity conservation challenges.

Why in News?

The Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) 2025 will be held from June 25–27, 2025 at WII, Dehradun. The conference is inaugurated by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. This year’s edition features innovative additions like TechBridge, 17 thematic areas, and 10 capacity-building workshops. It signifies India’s continued leadership in conservation science and inclusive environmental dialogue.

Key Highlights

• Event Name: Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) 2025
• Date & Venue: 25–27 June 2025 | Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
• Organised by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Participants: Over 500 delegates including scientists, students, policymakers, NGOs, and international organisations
• Inaugurated by: Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Special Focus: TechBridge – a new wildlife technology innovation forum

Objectives of ICCON 2025

• To foster collaboration among stakeholders in conservation science and practice.
• To discuss solutions for India’s most urgent biodiversity and wildlife management challenges.
• To promote youth participation and enable networking among early-career researchers.
• To create a multi-disciplinary platform for sharing best practices and technological innovations.

Background and Evolution

• Launched in 2023 during the golden jubilee of Project Tiger.
• Coincided with the announcement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
• Since inception, ICCON has grown into an inclusive, cross-sectoral forum.
• It reflects India’s commitment to global biodiversity and sustainable environmental governance.

Key Features of ICCON 2025

• 17 thematic areas related to conservation and environmental science.
• Hundreds of oral presentations, poster sessions, and speed talks.
• 10 workshops to build field-level and academic capacity.
• TechBridge: A pioneering feature to showcase cutting-edge wildlife technology.
• Travel bursaries to ensure equitable participation, especially for students and young researchers.

Significance

• Acts as a national think tank for conservation priorities.
• Encourages community-based conservation, youth engagement, and science-policy integration.
• Strengthens India’s image as a global biodiversity leader.
• Enables knowledge exchange between India and the Global South.