Forestry is that branch of Science, which is concerned chiefly with the Development and Care of Forest. Education in this field provides knowledge regarding Management of Forest through Conserving, Protecting and Upgrading the resources of forest. This is a vast field of education and there is no limit of earning knowledge regarding Forests.

From the very beginning of Human Civilization Forests have played a vital role in the Protection and Survival of Human Life. Forests are the source of amazing Herbs, Medicinal Compounds, Natural Cosmetics etc. Study of Forestry thus, important for the existence of entire humanism and it’s interesting too. Forests are one of the most significant Natural resources needed to lead a healthy life. Their many fold contribution to the human civilization includes maintaining the Ecological balance, helping in the Economic Growth of a nation, and above all improving the living standard of people. So, it is of vital importance to care them properly with the help of Forestry Professionals. Forests also help to save us from Natural Disasters like – Global Warming, Global Climatic Change, Deforestation, Water Scarcity etc.

India may take pride to have the huge possession of Forests and Wild Life. Moreover, this is our social duty to protect these Forests and Wild Life. Since, forests and wild life always co exist together. Forestry provides required education to take necessary steps and protect our forests in a scientific way.

Qualifications and Eligibility for Forestry

Due to increasing demand of Forestry branch of Science discipline, various universities and institutions are now offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and even Doctoral Degree in Forestry.

To earn B.Sc. Degree in Forestry candidates have to complete their 10+2 level education in Science discipline along with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects. After the completion of Bachelor’s degree students may opt for 2 years’ Masters‘ degree program. Specializations available in the Master’s degree level are – Commercial Forestry, Forest Economics, Forest Management, Veterinary Science, Wood Science & Technology, Wildlife Science etc.

The ongoing demand of the students to get higher degrees in this field helped various universities to offer Management degree/ M.Phil. degree in forestry. The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Nehru Nagar, Bhopal offers Forest Management degree from its institute. There is also the opportunity to earn Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management from various professional institutions. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted exam for appearing in Forestry career for Indian Forest Service.

The major Courses in Forestry and Forest Services are-

• B.Sc Forestry
• B.Sc Wildlife
• M.Sc Wildlife
• M.Sc Forestry
• M.Sc Wood Science & Tech.

Specialization in subjects like-

• Agro Forestry
• Agriculture Economics
• Agriculture Statistics
• Forest Products
• Microbiology
• Soil Sciences
• Silviculture
• Waste Management and Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources

Career Prospects in Forestry

In recent times the consciousness among people regarding conserving the forests has increased to a great extent. As a matter of fact the career opportunities for fresh Graduates in this field have climbed up to a comfortable position. Department of Forest and Wildlife of Central as well as State Government always recruits forestry professionals to protect the forests and wild life. NGOs involved in Conservation and up gradation of forests also recruit lots of forestry professionals in their organizations. Private sector organizations viz. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation and Wildlife Research Institutes also demands qualified forestry professionals to carry out the Research based Works. Many Private Organizations hiring number of Forest and Wildlife graduates like – Centre for Environment Education, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) and Consultancy Firms like – Ernst, Young and KPMG. Forestry professionals also have the opportunity to earn job in Botanical and Zoological parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks.

In addition to the above mentioned career options students can also take up the career of Still Photography, Film Making and Wildlife Journalism. This field of work will help them to join various reputed TV channels like- Animal Planet, Discovery and Natural Geographic.

In Forest and Wildlife conservation people can be employed as-

• Dendrologists
• Ethologist
• Entomologist
• Forest range officers
• Foresters
• Silviculturist
• Zoo curators

Job Prospects in Forestry

There is a huge scope of earning a prestigious Job in this field of Science in Government sector and can work in Offices, Laboratories or Outdoors. They have the potentiality to work in-

• Corporate having own Plantations for Timbering
• Education sector as Tutors
• Governmental, Non-Governmental Organizations interested in Preservation of Forest Resources
• Green Watchers, Wildlife Trust of India, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Environment Awareness Society, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) etc. are some of the National and International Voluntary Organizations that actively work towards the preservation and conservation of wildlife and forests.
• Industries that utilize forest resources employ industrial and agricultural consultants
• Indian Council Of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and its affiliated Forestry research institutes such as Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation, Allahabad etc.
• Wildlife Ranges
• Wildlife Research Institutes in DehraDun, Coimbatore etc.
• Zoological Parks

Forestry professionals can also get placement in various Government offices through Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Other than Bachelor’s or Master’s degree holders in Forestry Science, students with graduate degree in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Forestry or Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology are allowed to appear for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination.

Opportunity in abroad: A Bachelor’s or higher degree in Forestry can be beneficial to earn Jobs in the Global Organizations like – Centre for Environment Education, Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Consultancy Firms like – Ernst Young and KPMG.

Colleges, Institutions and Universities of Forestry

These are the Colleges/Institutions/Universities offering courses on Forestry and Wildlife are:

• Agricultural College And Research Institute, Coimbatore
• Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke , Ranchi
• College of Horticulture And Forestry, Solan (Himachal Pradesh)
• College Of Agriculture, Patnagar
• College Of Agriculture And Regional Research Station, Dharwad (Karnataka)
• College Of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, P O Krishinagar, Akola
• College Of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana
• College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Hisar
• College of Forestry, Thrissur (Kerala)
• College Of Forestry, Srinagar
• Forestry Research Institute, DehraDun
• Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal
• Jawharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Krishi Nagar, Agartala, Jabalpur
• Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
• Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara
• North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong
• Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar
• Orissa University Of Agriculture & Technology, Faculty Of Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Khurda
• University Of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, Bangalore
• Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun (affiliated to Saurashtra University, Rajkot)

Remuneration in Forestry

The earnings of the Forestry Graduates in the recent time are quite good. In Government Sectors they can earn Rs. 8,000 – 15,000 at the starting of their career. We can here mention the earnings of a Forestry Graduate below:

• Junior scale Rs 8000 to Rs. 15,000 per months
• After 4 years Rs 10,000 to Rs. 15,200 per months
• Conservator of forests Rs. 16,400 to Rs. 20,000 per months
• Chief Conservator of forests Rs. 18,400 to Rs. 22,400 per months
• Principal Conservator of forests Rs. 22,400 to Rs. 24,500 per months
• Junior Administrative Grade Rs. 12,000 to Rs 16,050 per months
• Selection Grade Rs. 14,300 to Rs. 18,300 per months
• Inspector General Rs. 26,000 per months

Beside these they also avail Accommodation, Official Vehicle, Telephone and other Government Allowances. Those who are working in Corporate Houses and Consultancy Companies have very lucrative pay packages. Salary packages and other Allowances are even higher in – Consultancy Firms, International Agencies and Media Houses. Working in the NGOs one can earn Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 16,000 per month at the starting of their career. Higher qualification will be beneficial to earn higher post and higher salary.

Related Posts: