Mr Udayan Borthakur

Udayan Borthakur is a conservation geneticist with over two decades of experience. He founded Aaranyak’s in-house Wildlife Genetic Laboratory in 2008 and currently serves as Director and Head of the Wildlife Genetics Division at Aaranyak, a Govt. of India recognized research organization. Both the laboratory (www.wildlifegeneticlab.in) and Mr. Borthakur are recognized by the Government for forensic DNA analysis of wildlife crime under Section 329(4) of BNSS 2023—the only such accredited facility in northeast India. The lab supports the Forest Department and Police and leads genetic applications in wildlife research. Mr. Borthakur has earlier worked at the University of Chicago, Wildlife Institute of India, and Bombay Natural History Society. His research covers population genetics of species including greater one-horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, Western hoolock gibbon, Javan and Sumatran rhinos, white-bellied heron, and snow leopard. An avid wildlife photographer and filmmaker, his work has wide recognition and publications.