CAREERS IN FORESTRY

INTRODUCTION :
Forestry involves protection of forests and farming of trees to ensure continuing timber supply. A forester cares for the forest resources by protecting them from fire, pests and diseases and encroachment. A forester would also be in charge of felling, which is cutting down of trees scientifically when there is over crowding and dying of trees.
SPECIALISATION :
At the Bachelor’s level, there is generally no specialisation. At the Masters level, it is possible to specialise in subjects such as Forest Management, Commercial Forestry or Forest Economics.
Major Institutions :
Bachelors & Masters Programme in Forestery/Forestry Management :
1. Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, (OUAT),Bhubaneswar- 751003.
2. Indian Institute of Forest Management,(IIFM) Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462003.
3. College of Agriculture, Krishinagar, Akola-444104, Maharashtra.
4. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pant Nagar-263145, Nainital District, U.P.
5. Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Trichur-680654, Kerala.
6. Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi-834006, Bihar.
7. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana –141008.
8. Tamil Nadu Agricultural university, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu.
9. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan-173230, Haryana.
10. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli-415712, Ratnagiri Dist, Maharastra.
Basis for Selection :
The bachelor programme is open to those who have a 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Agriculture as the chosen subjects. In some states like Kerala, entrance is through the common entrance examination for other states, the entrance is based on the candidate’s performance in the qualifying examinations.
Announcements and Dates :
The announcements for the Bachelor Programmes are made during May-June for most Universities.
Fees :
Bachelor Programmes at the Universities cost between Rs.2000/- to Rs.4,000 for tuition per year. For the Master’s Programme at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, the tuition fees costs are Rs.30,000/- and Rs.25,000/- for the first and second years respectively.
Employment Opportunities:
Employment opportunities exist with government, non-governmental organisations interested in preservation of forest resources, corporates having own plantations for timbering, corporate that buy forest products from satellite companies, research and consultancy organisations. They can be absorbed in environment and pollution control departments
N.B.: Given dates are subjects to change.