Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology Dehradun - Wildlife Institute Dehradun Uttarakhand

The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) is an autonomous research Institute of the Department of the science & Technology, Govt. of India. Established in June, 1968 as a small nucleus in two rooms of the Botany Department, Delhi University, the Institute was shifted to Dehradun during April, 1976.

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology was formerly named as the Institute of Himalayan Geology, it was renamed as the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in memory of its founder- the late Prof. D. N. Wadia, (F.R.S. and National Professor), in appreciation to his contributions to geology of the Himalayas

During the last quarter century the Institute has grown into a centre of excellence in Himalayan Geology and is recognised as a National Laboratory of International repute with well equipped laboratories and other infra structural facilities for undertaking advance level of research in the Country. The Institute at present has on its roll 61 scientists, 65 technical and 76 administration and supporting staff. Also there are about 40 research students, research associates and other staff working in sponsored projects.Institute is also operating following field research stations in the remote areas of Himalayas:

Naddi-Dharamsala (Seismic Observatory Array)
Dokriani Bamak, U.P.(Glacier Station)
Itanagar(Arunachal Pradesh)

The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology carries out basic research in Himalayan Geology and related fields which includes geodynamic evolution, mountain building processes, geo-environment and mineral resources. The research activities of the Institute are conducted through time - bound project mode and the areas of its multi- disciplinary research are organised into the following four areas namely:

Tectonophysics - Kinematic analysis of structures in rocks, lineaments using remote sensing techniques, experimental structural geology, regional geology and tectonic analysis, neotectonics and active faults. Seismicity, seismotectonics, palaeoseismology and gravity - magnetic studies.
Petrology & Geochemistry - Petrology and geochemistry of magmatic ( particularly granitoids and volcanics) and metamorphic rocks including geothermobarometry, ore-microscopy and fluid inclusion, fission track dating, petrological data base and application of computers in petrology.
Lithogenesis- Biostratigraphy - Ancient fluvial and marine processes, magnetostra- tigraphy, palaeoclimatic and tectonic studies. Invertebrate, vertebrate palaeontology, micropalaeontology and palynology. Specialisation in ostracodes, conodonts, foraminifera, brachiopods, bivalves, trilobites and tracefossils, early forms of life, stromatoloites, algae and micro-vertebrates.
Earth Resources and Environment - Geomorphological processes, landform analysis, palaeoclimatic studies, natural resources, landslides and glaciological studies.

Consultancy & Advisory Services by WIHG

The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology provides consultancy and advisory services on small scale to various organisations for purpose of road alignment, site selection for bridges and their foundation, slope stability and control of landslides, site selection for deep tubewells, geotechnical feasibility of major and minor hydel projects and related structures, passenger and haulage ropeways, seismotectonics of hydel projects and environmental feasibility of developmental projects etc.

The Institute has well equipped laboratories and specialized high level experts to provide consultancy services related to geotechnical, geohydrology, micropalaeontology, sedimentology, and economic geology, seismology and environment aspects.