The Mandate of this vertical will be to achieve long-term ecological stability, sustainable development and socio­ economic security through research and scientific management of ecosystems, provide specific research support on green growth, research on appropriate and advance forestry management methods and techniques, development of protection plans, wildlife action plans, coordinate research activities related to wildlife and wetland ecosystems. The following Institutes will be under this vertical:

• Institutes under the umbrella of ICFRE (FRI and its eight other sister institutes-one institute IWST has been included in other vertical)
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
• Central Zoo Authority (CZA)