Karnataka to launch first wildlife forensic unit soon: Priyank Kharge

Karnataka is set to establish its first-ever wildlife forensic unit; preparations have been finalised, and the facility is expected to become operational shortly, Home Minister Priyank Kharge announced on Tuesday.

The dedicated unit will play a crucial role in investigating wildlife crimes, poaching incidents, and illegal wildlife trafficking cases by providing scientific and forensic support to enforcement agencies. Officials believe the initiative will significantly strengthen the State’s ability to combat organised wildlife crime and improve conviction rates.

Mr. Kharge made the announcement during a review meeting at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) headquarters in Madiwala. He said the new facility marks a major step in expanding Karnataka’s forensic capabilities and reflects the government’s commitment to adopting scientific methods in criminal investigations.

Praising the achievements of the FSL, the Minister noted that Karnataka has emerged as one of the country’s leading States in forensic science, with internationally accredited laboratories, advanced digital forensic capabilities, and a track record of supporting high-profile investigations.

He stated that the government would fill vacant posts in the FSL and further strengthen forensic infrastructure to ensure faster, more accurate, and transparent investigations across the State.

The Minister also lauded the laboratory’s role in establishing scientific links between the murders of journalist Gauri Lankesh, scholar M.M. Kalburgi, activist Narendra Dabholkar, and activist Govind Pansare through forensic analysis, a contribution that earned national recognition.

He noted that, despite a significant rise in case numbers in recent years, the laboratory has managed to reduce report delivery timelines across various divisions from almost 40 months to just one to four months through technological advancements and enhanced efficiency.

The review meeting was attended by Director General and Inspector General of Police, M.A. Saleem, ADGP Crime and Technical Services, P. Harishekhar, FSL director, Divya Gopinath, and other senior officials.