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The work in the area of forestry is varied. In the government sector, the Indian Forest Service, which is one of the 32 Civil Services, plays an important role in the supervision and management of forests. This involves protection of the existing forests and wastelands, encouraging afforestation, protecting wildlife, and verifying the cutting of trees where necessary. Various non-governmental as well as governmental and international organisations employ forestry experts as consultants. In the private sector, forestry experts could be involved in the production of paper or other wood based products, in the management and development of forests or plantations, or in sawmill factories.
Eligibility
There are two routes for entry into the area of forestry. Those who wish to join the government service need to apply and sit for the civil services exam. This is the UPSC exam but different from the papers set for the other civil services. Here the requirement is a bachelor’s degree in science and an entrance exam which includes a paper in science. Those selected are called for a personality test and interview, followed by a medical and endurance test. The latter check the candidates’ physical fitness and stamina for a service which will require much outdoor activity. Those who qualify and are selected for the Indian Forest Service, will work as Forest Officers in the forest areas, with Forest Development Corporations as well as with the Ministry of Environment and Forests after the initial training. Selected candidates are sent for foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which is followed by specialised orientation for the Forest Service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, with inputs on wildlife management, tribal welfare, soil conservation, forest management, engineering survey and weapon handling. After this comes field training in the particular state to which the candidate is allotted. The second route for a career in forestry is through training in forestry, and forestry management. There are various courses in forestry at the graduate and postgraduate level, as well as a training programmes in forestry management, equivalent to an MBA. Several colleges/universities of agriculture/ agricultural sciences offer B.Sc programmes in forestry, for which plus two with PCB is the minimum requirement. Some also offer M.Sc and Ph.D courses. However, a graduate in any discipline can seek admission to the Indian Institute of Forest Management at Bhopal, which offers a PG Diploma in Forest Management that trains managers in the area of Forest, Environment and Natural Resources Management and allied sectors. Preference is given to graduates of science, agriculture and forestry. A written test on an all- India basis is conducted for admission to this programme, to assess the managerial aptitude of the candidate. Those who qualify in the written test are called for a group discussion and interview. The PGDFM is a two-year residential programme that blends written as well as practical work. Almost seven months are spent outside the institute undertaking field level work. Other forest-related courses are offered at the Wildlife Institute in Dehra Dun, which trains personnel for the many wildlife parks and conservation areas in the country. This institute conducts a one-year diploma course in Wildlife Biology and Management, apart from refresher and specialised courses for officers of the Forest Department. In addition, there is a PG diploma in ecology at the Salim Ali School of Ecology at Pondicherry University, as well as the M.Sc in Wildlife offered to science graduates at Aligarh Muslim University, Madras University and Saurashtra University, Rajkot.
Skill set
The Tata Energy Research Institute at New Delhi also conducts programmes in environmental studies and natural resource management The M.Sc. in Environmental Studies and Natural Resources Management is offered by TERI in order to spread the experience which TERI has gained in preserving biodiversity and ecosystems, sustaining forests, and in the integration of environmental issues into development. Forestry is the ideal career for those who love nature, especially forests, and have a commitment to conservation. However, it is a tough job requiring physical and mental alertness, a spirit of adventure, a scientific temperament, curiosity, practicality and patience. Over the last few years, the Rio Summit and the Kyoto Protocol, forest conservation and sustainable development has assumed great significance, with forests being declared a global community. This gives greater meaning to a career in forestry and provides growth prospects not only in the country but also with international agencies and environment and wildlife organisation around the world. The writer is a noted
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Forests are among our most important natural resources, and contribute significantly to our economic development. Not only do forests enhance the quality of our environment, they provide firewood, timber, fodder, and a number of industrial raw materials. With news stories on the hunting down of tigers, poor habitation of many animals in the wilds and the depletion of the forest areas, there is a greater urgency for many more committed professionals to maintain and regenerate the forest resources.
Other areas of work include agro-forestry, planting of trees in agricultural areas, farm forestry (planting of trees in farms), community forestry (plantation in villages), ornamental forestry (for decorative purposes), urban forestry (planting of trees in town and cities) and in research and training.
