The purpose of forestry is to grow more trees to provide firewood, timber, fodder, industrial raw materials, minerals and water. Forests provide habitat for our wildlife and may also serve as sites for recreational activities. Forests contribute significantly to economic development.
Work for forestry specialists in technical, management and bureaucratic capacities exists in the government departments of forests, in forests corporations and other bodies, wasteland development boards, forest-based industries, research institutions, non-govenmental organisations (NGOs), and teaching and in consultancy jobs.
Governement at the centre and the states require the services of foresters in their scientific cadres, in the departments of agriculture and allied departments. Officers in the Forest services at the union and state levels are involved in policy formulation and administrative/managerial roles in the government. Foresters may work for organisations and NGOs working in the sphere of forest development and conservation.
Foresters manage, develop, and protect forests and other natural resources linked to our forests. The decision to conserve the forest cover and eco-systems for future generations has to be balanced with the economic and optimal use of forest resources. Foresters are responsible for the supervision of regeneration of forests and forest resources by planting and growing of new trees. Specially trained personnel are needed to maintain and regenerate forest cover and forest wealth/resources.
Work Environment
Since there is a large variety of work for a forester, depending upon one’s specialization, one could be working in offices, laboratories, in the outdoors on field visits, supervising or splitting time between both office and natural settings.
Field and office work are equally important for all foresters.
Specialisations
Forestry experts may decide to concentrate on specialised areas like fruit-breeding and genetic resources, silviculture, agro-forestry, soil sciences and water management, post-harvest technology, entomology and apiculture, floriculture and landscaping, tree improvement and genetic resources, biotechnology, etc. For those who are interested in working with the timber and wood – related industries and projects – there are wood science and technology courses.
Forestry management [Refer Specialised Management Programmes], agri-business management, forest economics, urban forestry, and wildlife science are related specializations.
Physical and Psychlogical Requirements
The work can be physically demanding hence physical fitness, hardiness and love for the outdoors is important if you are contemplating a career in forestry. Even for research work, a stint in the outdoors is required. Organising ability, scientific aptitude, interest in nature, curiosity, powers of observation, interest in geography and interest in the preservation of the environment and practicality are useful skills for foresters.
Researchers need an academic bent of mind, an inclination for research, powers of concentration and curiosity, interest in related fields of study such as agriculture/geography.
Study/Training
Entry level for a career in Forestry may Be:
(a) 3 year BSc Forestry in certain universities
(b) 4 year BSc Forestry at Agricultural Universities
Eligibility for 
a) and (b) : Plus Two/equivalent with Science [Physics,Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics] or Intermediate Agriculture. Admission to the state agricultural universities may be based on merit or performance in an entrance examination as per the rules prevailing in the state.
Notifications appear from January onwards, while the sessions usually start off between July and September.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research [Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi-110012] conducts an all India entrance examination for admission to undergraduate courses in agriculture and allied sciences [excluding veterinary science] for filling up 15% of the total number of seats in State Agricultural Universities, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and 100% of the seats in National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.
Notification is expected in January-February and the test in May.
The foundation for a career in forestry, therefore, has to be Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the Plus Two level. It could be Physics, Chemistry and Biology for that matter but when it comes to the admission test (when there is one), the subjects tested are P,C and B.
Students in a graduate forestry course study Agricultural Chemistry, Physics, Botony, Meterology, Zoology, Human Nutrition, Surveying and Land Development Rural Sociology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Extension, Entomology, Agricultural Engineering, Biometry and Statisstics, Horticulture, Forestry and Hill Agriculture, Forest Soils and their Management, Social Forestry and Wood Science, Forest Policy, Law and Planning, Forest Surveying and Mapping, Silviculture, Minor forest products, Special Field Practices in Forestry, etc. MSc and PhD should be the natural order of progression for those who wish to establish themselves in a career related to Forestry.
Some universities offer Forestry as a subject at the BSc level in the 3-year course and a 2-year MSc in Forestry.
Forestry Research is the primary responsibility of the Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education with the following forestry research institutes under it:
Forest research Institute, Dehra Dun; Institute of Arid Zone Forestry Research, Jodhpur, Institute of Rain and Moist Deciduous Forests, Jorhat; Institute of Wood Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, Tropical Forestry Research Institute, Jabalpur; Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore; Temperate Forest Research Institute, Shimla; Centre for Forest Productivity, Ranchi; Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation, Allahabad, Institute of Forestry Research and Human Resources Development, Chhindwara, and Advance Centre for Biotechnology and Mangrove Forests, Hyderabad.
The Indian Plywood Industries Reseach and Training Institute, Bangalore for foretry research in wood panel products.
For Wildlife Research we have the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun; and Salim Ali Centre for ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore.
Employment Prospects
For forestry experts, placement options are spread over government sponsored projects related to forest development, ecology and the environment, as officers of the Indian Forest Services [Refer separate Chapter] or the state forest services, and in research institutions.
Private sector placement prospects are with agro-based and forest-based industries and organisations. Upgradation and enhancement of qualifications should be the outlook for progressive professionals.
Career Progression
India having among the lowest per capita availability of forests among the develop
ing countries of the world requires the services of forestry professionals especially in afforestation/reforestation. Career progression is assured for Master’s /doctoral holders. Officers in the Indian and State Forest services enjoy time-bound promotions but at the highest levels in the cadre, performance and prominence play a major role in securing the top positions.
nice , and useful