The Certificate Course in Natural Heritage Management (CCNHM) is an ITEC-sponsored professional training programme delivered by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The official ITEC portal currently lists the course as OPEN, for participants from all countries, with the current 2026 course scheduled for 5–30 October 2026 in India.
The Wildlife Institute of India course documentation describes CCNHM as a four-week programme designed to strengthen professional capacity in natural heritage management, including sustainable management of World Heritage Sites, stakeholder engagement, conservation and heritage interpretation.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Fully Sponsored International Training Programme
- Programme: Certificate Course in Natural Heritage Management
- Host: Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
- Funding: Government of India — ITEC
- Location: India
- Programme Dates: 5–30 October 2026
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Eligible Countries: Eligible regions include:
- Asia & South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asian nations (such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand), Central Asian countries, and more.
- Africa: Comprehensive representation across Sub-Saharan and North African nations (including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania, and dozens of others).
- Latin America & the Caribbean: Countries spanning Central and South America as well as Caribbean island states.
- Central & Eastern Europe / Eurasia: Selected developing economies and partner states in Eastern Europe and parts of Eurasia.
- Pacific & Small Island Developing States: Nations like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and other regional island partners.
- Target Group: Heritage professionals, heritage-site managers, forest/wildlife/natural-resource officers, academics and NGO professionals
- Degree: At least graduation; postgraduate qualification preferred
- Age: Maximum 45 years
- Work Experience: Minimum work experience required; exact number of years not specified
- English: Good communication skills in English required
- Course Fee: Covered by ITEC
- Airfare: Covered
- Visa: Gratis Indian visa
- Accommodation: Covered
- Living Allowance: Provided under ITEC terms
- Training Materials: Covered under ITEC terms
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Application Fee: No ITEC course fee
Funding
Under the ITEC sponsorship, selected participants receive:
- Return economy/excursion-class airfare
- Gratis Indian visa
- Government-funded course fees
- Hostel/hotel accommodation
- Daily living allowance
- Training materials/books/e-learning materials
- Study-tour expenses where included in the programme
- Emergency medical treatment subject to ITEC conditions.
Again, meals are normally paid from the living allowance, while personal expenses such as laundry and other incidental costs are not covered.
Programme Focus
The official WII documentation identifies areas including:
- Natural heritage management
- World Heritage Sites
- Stakeholder management
- Sustainable development
- Protected-area management
- Biodiversity
- Ecosystem services
- Wildlife forensics
- Human dimensions of natural heritage
- Tourism and visitor management
- Wildlife health and management
- Ecological corridors and flyways
- Heritage impact assessment
- Social impact assessment
- Heritage interpretation.
The course documentation also describes field learning at natural and cultural heritage sites in India, including Delhi, Bharatpur/Keoladeo National Park and Agra.
Eligibility
The WII’s official course documentation identifies the intended participants as:
- Managers of current or potential heritage sites
- Forest officers
- Wildlife officers
- Natural-resource-management officials
- Heritage professionals
- Academic professionals
- NGO representatives.
The official selection criteria specify:
- At least graduation level
- Postgraduate qualification preferred
- Minimum work experience required
- Maximum age of 45 years
- Good English communication
- Physical fitness for field tours and travel
- Government/department/sponsoring-agency nomination and approval.
Degree
At least a Bachelor’s/graduation-level qualification; postgraduate qualification preferred.
Age
Maximum 45 years.
Work Experience
Minimum work experience is required.
The official WII documentation does not specify the exact minimum number of years, so Potenue should not invent a number.
Duration
February 1 to February 26, 2027 – 4 weeks
Deadline
Not specified on the live public ITEC listing.
ITEC recommends that applications reach the relevant Indian Embassy/High Commission preferably three months before the course begins.
Application Process
- Visit the official ITEC course portal.
- Find Certificate Course in Natural Heritage Management.
- Click Apply.
- Select nationality.
- Complete the ITEC application.
- Submit the online application.
- Print the completed application form.
- Submit it through your country’s designated/nodal government authority.
- The nomination is forwarded to the Indian Mission/High Commission.
- Await the final selection decision.
ITEC confirms that applications are checked by the institute and Indian Embassy/High Commission and must subsequently be nominated/recommended through the relevant government authority
If you’re building a career in conservation, sustainability or natural-resource management, this is the kind of international training opportunity worth knowing about. Potenue brings funded opportunities like this into one simpler place so you can spend less time searching and more time applying.