What happens when some of the brightest minds in wildlife conservation from across the country gather in one of India’s most stunning tiger landscapes? Magic! The Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) recently held its annual review meet at the serene MPT Kipling’s Court in Pench, Madhya Pradesh. It was an action-packed few days, filled with insightful presentations, spirited discussions, and some well-deserved celebrations.
The Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) recently held its annual review meeting in Pench, Madhya Pradesh, from 14 to 17 September, 2025.
The WCT family, with teams from Conservation Research, Resilient Futures, Combatting Wildlife Crime Programme, Human-wildlife Interface Management, WildTech, Ecosystem Restoration, Admin & HR, Finance, and Nature Communications, converged in Pench on September 14. This was not just a routine meeting; it was a collaborative forum where every voice mattered.
A Deep Dive into Conservation
The agenda for the three-day meet was co-chaired by Dr. Anish Andheria, President WCT, along with the vertical heads and project leads. Teams presented their work from the last financial year (FY 2024-25), sharing not only their achievements but also their learnings, the challenges, and their future plans.
A diverse array of engaging and productive sessions was held at the ARM by various members of the WCT team.
The meet was a melting pot of ideas. There were productive discussions on a wide range of topics, including inter-departmental collaborations, new conservation approaches, WCT’s responsibility towards our donors, the importance of historical research in conservation, and streamlining communications. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to understand the interconnectedness of their work and brainstorm ways to make an even bigger impact through inter-departmental collaborations.
Building Bonds
It was not all work and no play! The team also took part in some insightful and enjoyable team-building activities. These sessions sparked a lot of food for thought, reminding us of the importance of a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.
Group activities were conducted during the ARM, focusing on the core principles of collaboration. The exercises successfully illustrated several key elements of effective teamwork: active listening and sharing of ideas, valuing diverse perspectives and expertise, collective ownership of outcomes and decisions, and a willingness to adjust and evolve. Through the application of these principles, synergy was clearly observed. Photos: Deepam Yogi
Celebrating Heroes
What is a meet without some recognition? This year, we continued the tradition of honouring our staff with ‘Long Service Awards’. These awards celebrate team members who have spent more than five years at WCT, and it is a testament to their unwavering commitment. It is incredible to note that in the last two years alone, 40 of our colleagues have received this award! Their dedication and fidelity towards the organisation is the backbone of our success.
WCT President, Dr. Anish Andheria, presented Long Service Awards to honour the dedicated staff members who have completed more than five years of service at WCT.
Pin-Drop Silence, Sky-High Thrills
Video caption: The heart-stopping moment an Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) performs its signature, gravity-defying glide. ©Vedic Gupta
Dinner finished, we assembled in the main compound, ready to wrap up for the night. The humid air of the late night hung thick and heavy, the hour inching past half-eleven, when Dr. Andheria’s sharp, urgent whisper pierced the pin-drop silence: “That’s an Indian giant flying squirrel!” It moved with startling, frantic speed, its dark form and long, bushy tail scaling the smooth trunk of a coconut tree. For the next fifteen gripping minutes, we became silent, focused stalkers, our handheld torches trained gently on the animal, catching the startling reflection of its huge, obsidian eyes. The crowning moment was yet to come: the glide. Then, with no warning, and only a near-silent shush of displaced air, it launched. The immense membrane unfurled instantly, and for a breathtaking second, it wasn’t an animal, but a beautiful, monochrome wing, cutting a smooth, noiseless arc across the black sky. The brilliant white webbing—known as the patagium—was vividly apparent, a flash of life across the void, before it landed superbly and silently in the distant foliage, leaving us buzzing with the thrill of having witnessed true, wild magic.
The Annual Review Meet was more than just a formal convention; it was a recognition of our shared passion and a reaffirmation of our commitment to wildlife conservation.
Pench is where lush greenery meets incredible wildlife such as the dholes (right); a powerful reminder that this precious wild heart of India demands our unwavering protection ©Girish Punjabi & Dr. Anish Andheria.
The stunning backdrop of Pench was the perfect reminder of why we do what we do. Here’s to another year of impactful work!
Check out the reel from WCT’s Annual Review Meet 2025!
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