Indian Forest Service

Institutions

 

Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun

  

The ICFRE was established on 31st December, 1986 by restructuring of Forest Research Institute and Colleges to oversee the activities relating to Forestry Research and Education in the country and coordinate the efforts of all concerned Institutes and Organizations. With effect from 01.06.1991 the ICFRE was converted into an autonomous body. Presently, ICFRE with its Headquarters at Dehradun is an apex body in the national forestry research system that promotes and undertakes need based forestry research extension

  

The Council has a pan India presence with its 9 Regional Research Institutes and 5 Centers in different bio-geographical regions of the country. Each Institute has a history of its own and under the umbrella of ICFRE are directing and managing research, extension and education in forestry sector in the states under their jurisdiction.

 

Research Institutes under the Council are:  

• Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun (Uttarakhand )
• Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
• Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore (Karnataka)
• Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)
• Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat (Assam)
• Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur (Rajasthan )
• Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
• Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP), Ranchi (Jharkhand)
• Institute of Forest Biodiversity (IFB), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) 

 

Advanced Research Centres under the Council are: 

• Forest Research Centre for Skill Development, Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh)
• Forest Research Centre for Bamboo & Rattan, Aizawl (Mizoram)
• Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)
• Forest Research Center for Livehood Extension, Agartala (Tripura)
• Forest Research Centre for Coastal Eco-System, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 

 

Vision

 

To achieve long-term ecological stability, sustainable development and economic security through conservation and scientific management of forest ecosystems.

 

 

Mission 

 

To generate, advance and disseminate scientific knowledge and technologies for ecological security, improved productivity, livelihoods enhancement and sustainable use of forest resources  through forestry research and education. 

 

Objectives 

 

(i)  To undertake, aid, promote and coordinate forestry research, education and extension leading to scientific and sustainable management of forest resources in the country. 

 

(ii)  To align forestry research programs in the council with national priorities including achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and combating climate change. 

 

(iii)  To provide scientific advice and policy support to the central and state governments aiding informed decision making in forestry matters of national importance and international commitments.

 

(iv)  To act as a repository of scientific knowledge related to forestry, environment and climate change, and disseminate such knowledge to various stakeholders. 

 

(v)  To provide technical assistance and support to states, forest- based industries, tree growers, farmers and others for forest protection,  afforestation, agro- forestry and allied activities. 

 

(vi)  To develop appropriate forest based technologies, processes and products for sustainable resource use, livelihoods and economic growth. 

 

(vii)  To provide livelihood support to forest dependent communities through transfer of scientific knowledge and appropriate forest-based technologies 

 

(viii)  To develop technically qualified human resource for forestry sector 

 

(ix) To promote forestry education in the country and facilitate universities in improving quality through technical and financial support including development of uniform curricula 

 

(x)  To provide consultancy and capacity building services in environment and forest sector. 

 

(xi)  To develop and maintain National Forest Library and Information Centre for forestry and allied sciences. 

 

(xii)  To develop environment and forest extension programmes and promote the same through mass media and audio-visual aids. 

 

(xiii)  To support and advice Government on technical aspects of international conventions and treaties. 

 

(xiv)  To conduct other activities incidental and conducive to attainment of abovementioned objectives, which the council may consider necessary. 

 

Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal

 

Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal is an autonomous institution of the Ministry. The Institute, as a sectoral management institute, imparts education in forest management, which is a judicious combination of management, social and forestry sciences. The Institute constantly endeavors to keep in touch with the problems of people, especially the forest dwellers and undertakes need-based research. The major objectives of the Institute are: 

(i) To provide training in management and related subjects to persons from forest services, forest departments, forest development corporations and forest related industries. 

(ii) To select and prepare outstanding and talented young persons for careers leading to management responsibilities in forest and forest related system; and 

(iii) To meet the need of Indian forestry and forest related industry and commerce with respect to updating information on forestry management through research, consultancy and publications. 

The Institute offers following academic programmes of varying duration: 

• Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry Management (equivalent to MBA)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Management (equivalent to MBA)
• Post Master’s Course in Natural Resource Management (Equivalent to M.Phil.)
• Nodal Centre for Doctoral Programme of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 

 

Research 

Research is one of the main activities of IIFM. As a sectoral management Institute in forestry, environment and allied sectors, the institute mainly focuses on research activities that are applied in nature. Various national and international organizations, like Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Department of Science and Technology, State Forest Departments, International Tropical Timber Organizations, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, International Development Ford Foundation, World Bank, DFID, IDREC, GTZ, etc. 

 

Training  

Management Development Programme (MDP) is one of the pioneer activities of the Institute. The Institute has been conducting short-term training courses, seminars and workshops to transfer technical and managerial skills being generated by faculty areas of the Institute. The Institute with an objective to fulfil the growing need of managerial human power and development of managerial capacity in the forest and allied sectors provides an excellent forum to serve the needs of in-service managers and administrators. 

Consultancy 

The multi-disciplinary nature of IIFM’s faculty makes IIFM ideally suited to offer consultancy services in the areas of forestry, environment and natural resource management. The subject areas in which IIFM has been providing consultancy support include, agro-forestry, farm forestry, non-timber forest produce, livelihood and conservation, grassland management, marketing, micro credit, joint forest management, eco-development, urban forestry and forestry and forestry planning and management, and environmental impact assessment.

  

Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI), Bangalore 

 

           The Institute was established in 1962 under the administrative control of CSIR till 1978 and subsequently it was under the Ministry of Industry till April 1990. Thereafter with effect 01.05.1990, it has come under the administrative control of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Institute also has an outreach field station at Kolkata and a research centre at Mohali. 

             The Institute mainly undertakes research activities in the field of wood and wood-based panel products; composites from other lignocellulosic materials like bamboo, agro-residues, coir, forest/wood residues; bamboo processing; enhancing service life of wood and wood products; etc., which are aimed at reducing pressure on natural forests. Training and extension activities of the Institute are focused on creating livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities. The Institute conducts a one-year post-graduate diploma course on wood and panel product technology to create skilled manpower for the wood- based industries and organizes customized short-term training programmes for industries and other stake holders to-update the technical skills. 

 

Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun

 

             Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) is a premier training institution established primarily for training of Indian Forest Service officers. The Academy was constituted in the year 1987 by upgrading and renaming the erstwhile Indian Forest College, established in 1938. The Academy imparts professional training to the Indian Forest Service Probationers and has been accorded the status of “Staff College” for imparting mid-career as well as other in-service training for officers of the Indian Forest Service (IFS). The Academy is located in the New Forest campus, Dehradun. The campus also houses the world-renowned Forest Research Institute (FRI). 

       The motto of the Academy is “Aranyam Te Prithivi Syo Namastu” which means “We bow to the forests on this earth”. 

       The mandate of the Academy is not only to impart professional training to IFS Probationers and In-Service Training Programmes for senior IFS officers, but also to organize programmes for other stakeholders in the forestry/environment sector. To fulfil the same, the Academy organizes short term programmes for other All India Services officers, Indian Revenue Services Probationers, members of higher judiciary, IRTS and other central services. The training programmes conducted by IGNFA are as under: - 

• Professional Forestry Training to Indian Forest Service (Probationers) inducted on direct recruitment
• Mid-career training programme (MCT Phase I, II, & III) for IFS officers
• One-week thematic programme in Forestry for IFS officers
• Professional Skill Up-gradation Course for the inducted Indian Forest officers
• Short-term training programmes for other All India Services (AIS) and central services on Forest & Environment Issues

 

Directorate of Forest Education (DFE), Dehradun 

 

The Directorate of Forest Education has primary mandate of Induction Training of newly recruited State Forest Service (SFS) Officers and Forest Range Officers (FROs). This Directorate conducts training for SFS Officers through three Academies under its direct administrative and technical control and Induction training of FROs is also done through one Central Academy and Eight Nos. of State run Academies under Technical control of DFE. The DFE through the Central Academies also organizes short term In-Service Training-cum-Workshops and for State Forest Service Officers and Forest Range Officers on different themes.The main mandate of the Directorate of Forest Education are: 

• To cater to the training needs of the SFS Officers and RFOs of States / Union Territories in the Country. 

• To ensure standard and quality of training being imparted to the forestry personnel other than Indian Forest Service.

• To augment training capacity and facility for the Frontline Forest Staff (Forest Guards, Foresters, Deputy Rangers and Range Officers). 

• To assist develop appropriate and relevant training contents and evaluation standards for forestry training at all levels below IFS 

• To help states assess training needs of forestry personnel. 

• To assist in the development of training policy for forestry personnel.