The present building, an impressive edifice of the Graeco-Roman and Oriental architecture, is situated in a campus spread over about 500 hectares. The plinth area of the main building is 2.5 hectares and the outer Himalayas form its backdrop.

The history of the institute is synonymous with the evolution and development of scientific forestry. The research work has been acclaimed both at the national and international levels. Valuable knowledge in the field of forestry sector has been generated and documented. Among the scientific findings on silviculture, over 550 species of trees have been identified and documented. The institute has also successfully introduced Eucalyptus, poplar and tropical pines. A storage technology for important tree seeds has been developed. Termite control measures and control of the other insect pests are also done in most scientific manner. The copper chromate treatment for wood preservation developed by the institute is now widely adopted throughout the world. The institute has taken the lead for the process of pulping bamboo for paper-making.

The institute is equipped with a herbarium which has 3.3 lakh plant specimens. Entomological reference collections with over 23,000 insect species is also available in the institute. Germplasm collection of about 100 medicinal plant is also available in the institute.

There are six museums which are an integral part of the institute. These museums are open for the general public and the visitors. There is an entry ticket and fixed timings for visiting these museums. The museums are Social Forestry Museum, Pathology Museum, Silviculture Museum, Timber Museum, Non-wood Forest Museum, and Entomology Museum. All the museums are well-maintained. The Timber Museum deserves a special mention. This museum comes under the ‘must-see’ category. Methods for preserving and seasoning the wood both during ancient as well as the modern times have been well displayed. Wood carving on Eucalyptus and other wood material is also worth seeing. There is a separate section in the museum where use of wood for making war equipment has been showcased in an interesting manner.

Astonishingly, in the Timber Museum, one can see the complete life history of the deodar tree from Balcha Forest Division which lived its life for 704 years. The life history of the tree is well- defined and depicted on the girth of the stem of the said tree.

The Forest Research Institute also runs two year-long degree courses and a one-year diploma course in the field of forestry. The admission to these courses are made through all-India competitive tests.

Attempts are being made to educate and involve farmers and wood industry people in the forest conservation. Orientation courses for the personnel dealing with wood preservation are also conducted frequently. The aim is to promote peoples participation in restoration of wastelands. In the era of specialisation, the Forest Research Institute has produced highly specialised and skilled professionals. The institute is committed to utilised their expertise in economic and eco-friendly methods for preservation of forests and optimum use of wastelands.