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7 FORESTRY INSTITUTIONS Forestry Organisations

The forestry and related institutions play an important role in efficient management of forest and wildlife resources through capacity building of the personnel and people, and finding solutions to the subject matter problems through research and development. A brief account of important national level organisations is given below: Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun The erstwhile Indian Forest College, Dehradun established in 1938 to train officers of the Superior Forest Service, was upgraded as IGNFA in May 1987 to function as a staff college for the IFS under the administrative control of the MoEF. The IFS officers are appointed to faculty as well as administrative positions on central deputation for fixed tenures by the MoEF under the Central Staffing Scheme. The Academy prepares a cadre of competent forest officers to manage ’s forest resources and serves as an apex institution for capacity building of forestry personnel. The Academy organises forestry professional induction training courses for the IFS probationers, skills-upgradation courses for the promoted IFS officers and a number of regular in-service refresher courses, training workshops and seminars for officers of various levels of seniorities. A number of trainers and trainees from foreign countries have undergone professional courses in the Academy. The Academy is also developing capacity for knowledge management in the forestry sector. Directorate of Forest Education, Dehradun After reorganization of FRI and Colleges and creation of ICFRE in the year 1987, the Directorate of Forest Education now functions under the direct administrative control of the MoEF. The Directorate is responsible for conducting induction training for the direct recruit officers of the SFS and the FROs. The Directorate also organizes a few short-term in-service training courses, training workshops and seminars for the SFS officers, FROs and the frontline staff (Deputy FROs, foresters and forest guards) in the colleges under its control as well as in the 97 INDIA’S FORESTS

SFTSs in different parts of the country. At present, there are three SFS colleges at Burnihat, Coimbatore and Dehradun, and one forest rangers college, namely, the Eastern Forest Rangers College at Kurseong under the control of the Directorate. Also, the technical control over the state run rangers colleges vests with the Directorate. The forest officers are appointed to administrative and faculty positions in the Directorate and its colleges, on deputation by the MoEF for fixed tenures. , Dehradun The FSI was created in June 1981 with the objective of periodically monitoring the changing situation of land and forest resources, and for presenting the data for national planning, conservation and management of environmental preservation. After a critical review of its activities, the FSI was re-organized in 1986. The objectives of FSI are to prepare a comprehensive SFR including national forest vegetation map once in every two years; collect, store and make retrievable necessary forestry related data for planning, design methodologies relating to forest surveys; impart training in modern forest survey techniques to foresters; advise on design and development of basic forest inventory system, and support and oversee inventory work undertaken by the SFDs. The FSI is headed by a director with headquarters at Dehradun. The administrative and technical personnel include permanent cadre of technical and administrative staff, and IFS officers and Indian Statistical Service officers appointed on deputation basis. It has four regional offices, one each located at Shimla, Kolkata, and Bangalore. Major functions of regional offices include organizing field-work to collect inventory data, interpretation of aerial photographs and conduct of wood consumption studies. The FSI is under the direct administrative control of the MoEF. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun On reorganization of forestry research, education and training in India, the ICFRE was established in December 1987 as an apex forestry research and education organization in the country. The ICFRE was subsequently granted autonomy in June 1991. The objectives of the Council are to undertake, aid, promote and coordinate forestry education, research and its applications, develop and maintain a national library and information centre for forestry research and allied sciences, act as a clearing-house for research and general information, develop forestry extension programmes and propagate the same, and to provide consultancy services in the fields of forestry research, education, training and allied sciences. It has eight research institutes and four advanced research centres which undertake thematic research and cater to the research needs on regional basis. The institutes are: Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun; Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla; Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur; Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore; Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore; Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat; Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP), Ranchi; and Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur. The advanced research centres are located at Allahabad, Chhindwara and . A new Advanced Institute Research Centre for Bamboos and Rattans is being set up at Aizawl, Mizoram under the (RFRI), Jorhat. The activities of the Council are governed by ICFRE Society. The Board of Governors (BOG) of the Council oversees its planning, administration and FORESTRY INSTITUTION 98 financing. The Director General (DG), ICFRE is the chief executive of the Council. The scientific, technical and administrative personnel of the Council include permanent cadre of scientists and technical staff, as well as the IFS officers and SFS officers appointed on deputation for fixed tenures. The vision of the Council is to assist in efforts to increase the forest and tree cover and enhance forest productivity through operationalisation of National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) and National Forestry Research Plan (NFRP). The NFRP launched in May 2000, has a time horizon of 20 years. The main source of funding of the Council is through grants-in-aid from the MoEF. The Council also generates its own resources by undertaking research projects, and consultancies for user agencies as well as through externally aided projects and registration of patents. The FRI, Dehradun has been granted the status of a ‘Deemed University’ in December 1991. The university at present conducts three postgraduate degree and three postgraduate diploma courses in various disciplines apart from awarding doctorate degrees in forestry, wildlife and environment related disciplines. Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal The Indian Institute of Forest Management was established as an autonomous institution in 1982 under the MoEF. The objectives of the institute are to provide training in management and related subjects to persons and personnel of forest related industries with a view to equipping them to practice the art and profession of management, in a most effective and efficient manner, prepare outstanding talented persons for careers leading to management responsibilities in forestry and forest-related systems, provide up-to-date information on forest management and carry out research in matters concerning the use of management, and allied techniques and methods conducive to the development of forestry. The activities of the Institute are governed by IIFM Society. The BOG of the Institute oversee its planning, administration and financing. The personnel of the Institute include administrative staff, permanent faculty and IFS officers on deputation for fixed tenures. The main source of funding is through annual grants-in-aid from the MoEF, consultancies and projects undertaken by the Institute for the user agencies. The Institute has established two corpus funds, one Swedish International Development Agency Corpus Fund for payment of stipend to the candidates undergoing post-graduate programme in forestry management, and the other with the revenue generated through various sources to be utilized for self-sustenance of the Institute once adequate corpus is established. The major activities include organising of two-year post-graduate programme in forest management, one-year post-graduate course in Natural Resource Management (NRM), management development programmes in general management, sectoral management and functional management, research projects and consultancies of inter-disciplinary nature. The candidates completing courses in forest management and NRM find placements in forest- based institutions, industries, NGOs, international organisations and NRM related consultancy firms. Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, Bangalore In 1962 an Indian Plywood Manufacturers’ Research Association was formed as a co-operative research laboratory under the umbrella of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for undertaking applied research on plywood. It was re-designated as Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute in 99 INDIA’S FORESTS

1970. Later recognizing IPIRTI’s greater role in conservation of natural resources, its administrative control was transferred to the MoEF in 1990. The Institute has been established with the objective to undertake research on all aspects of production of sawn timber, manufacturing plywood and other allied engineering products. The activities of the Institute are governed by IPIRTI Society. The BOG of the Institute oversees its planning, administration and financing. The Institute is headed by a director on deputation for a fixed tenure. The other personnel of the Institute include permanent administrative, technical and scientific staff. The Institute has a regional centre at Kolkata for catering to the needs of the region for testing of samples, etc. Second regional centre is being established at Mohali, Punjab. The main source of funding is through grants-in-aid from the MoEF, and undertaking of research projects, testing of samples, etc., for the user agencies. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun The Wildlife Institute of India was established in 1982 at Dehradun, and was accorded autonomy in April 1986. It has the mandate to produce a cadre of trained wildlife managers, scientific people for nature conservation, and field biologists who could collect scientific information on wildlife and PAs for effective management. It advises the government on matters of conservation and management of wildlife resources. The activities of the Institute are governed by WII Society. To oversee planning, administration and financing of the Institute, there is a BOG. The Institute is headed by a director. The other personnel of the Institute include administrative, technical and scientific personnel. The faculty includes both wildlife scientists and IFS officers on deputation. The Institute is funded through grants-in-aid by the MoEF, and it also generates its own finances by undertaking consultancy services, research projects, and organizing sponsored training courses for the user agencies. The WII undertakes research projects on field sites across the length and breadth of the country which are primary sources of scientific information. Apart from organizing two-year post-graduate course on wildlife management, it runs nine-months post graduate diploma course for the forest officers on wildlife management which is open to candidates from foreign countries also. It also organizes three-month certificate course on wildlife management. Central Authority, New Delhi With the objective to enforce minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in and to restrain mushrooming of unplanned zoos, the GOI in exercise of the powers conferred under the WPA has created a in 1992. The Minister of Environment and Forests is the ex-officio Chairman of the CZA. The term of the members of the Authority is three years. The office of the Authority is located at New Delhi. The Member Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority. For carrying out the functions of the Authority, two committees, namely, Administrative Committee and Technical Committee and three sub-committees: Design Committee, Conservation Breeding Committee, and Research Committee have been constituted. National Zoo Policy To give proper direction and thrust to the management of zoos in the country, the National Zoo Policy was framed in the year 1998. The policy details the strategy the zoos need to adopt for achieving the goals enshrined in it, so that the national efforts in conservation of rich biodiversity of our country are strengthened. FORESTRY INSTITUTION 100

Evaluation and Recognition to Zoos In order to evaluate and provide accreditation to the zoos, the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992 were framed under the WPA. There are 51 standards and norms which have been prescribed for compliance by the zoos. The rules prescribe type of housing facilities to be provided for the animals, health care, hygiene, feeding and overall upkeep of the animals, the minimum number of trained personnel to be posted in the zoos and visitor facilities. Keeping in view the growing advancements in the field of captive animal management, these rules were amended during 2004. For the purposes of deciding standards and norms for recognition of zoos, and monitoring and evaluating their performance, the zoos, on the basis of number of species and endangered species and number of animals of each such species exhibited, have been classified into four categories, namely, large, medium, small and mini. So far 159 zoos have been recognised by the Authority. Sixty percent of the recognised zoos are under the administrative control of the SFDs and the rest of them are being operated by the municipal corporations, public sector companies, trusts, individuals, etc. The MoEF provides grants-in-aid to CZA for sanctioning financial assistance to the zoos for improving housing and veterinary facilities, and upkeep of animals. Healthcare of Wild Animals in Zoos With a view to providing specialized disease diagnostic support to the zoos, the CZA has provided financial assistance for strengthening the existing diagnostic facilities at Indian Veterinary Research Institute at Izathagar and to a few veterinary colleges in various states. Rescue and Rehabilitation of Circus Animals Display of animals in the circuses has been discouraged. Rescue centres for rehabilitating the rescued wild animals including and tigers received from the circuses have been established at various places in the country. Conservation Breeding of Endangered Species To complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation of wildlife, planned breeding programmes for a number of species including red panda (Ailurus fulgens), -tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), and western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) have been initiated by the CZA. Research To infuse new technology in the field of assisted reproduction and molecular characterization of the endangered species, a laboratory (LaCONES) has been established near the , Hyderabad in the State of Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology CCMB, CSIR, Department of Biotechnology, GOI and the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. The laboratory has already standardised signatures of 40 endangered species of Indian wild animals. Research activities in the field of ‘assisted reproduction’ have been initiated in vultures. Births through this technique have been achieved in ungulates like black buck and spotted deer. Efforts to breed large cats through this technique are also underway. To bring in holistic development of zoos and to infuse more technical and scientific culture in the management of zoos, the CZA has decided to initiate scientific studies in some areas of zoo management involving scientists and institutions working in the field of wildlife conservation or related fields of animal science. Some of the areas/ fields for conducting such studies are zoo design and architecture, standardization of animal diet in captive conditions, disease 101 INDIA’S FORESTS

diagnosis and cure, use of bio-technological interventions, zoo education and interpretation, training for zoo personnel, stakeholders and policymakers. The WII is also maintaining a ‘Studbook Cell’ for maintenance of national studbooks for the endangered animal species kept in Indian zoos. The CZA has also decided to grant ‘small grants fellowships’ for initiating research activities at the zoo level to address the local issues related to ex-situ wildlife conservation. The Authority has also instituted an ‘Annual CZA Award’ in appreciation of most innovative works in the Indian zoos. Training Upgrading the professional skills of zoo personnel has been an area of high priority for the CZA. Training programmes are being organized for the zoo directors, zoo supervisors and zoo keepers. Other than the in-country training programmes, the CZA also deputes annually a zoo director and a veterinarian to Durrel Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey, U.K for advanced training in zoo management. Till date, six zoo directors and 11 veterinarians have received this training. The CZA has brought out a number of publications including Handbook of the Management of Animals in Captivity, Zoos of India, Restraint and Translocation of Wild Animals, Dietary Husbandry of Wild Mammalians, Techniques and Procedures for Post-mortem of Elephants, Management of Elephants in Captivity, Musth in Asian Elephant, A Compendium of Publications from Indian Zoos on Health and Disease Management and Animal Biology and Conservation, Indian Zoo Year Books, Indian Wildlife Year Book, Zoos - Instrument for Conservation, Studbook of Bengal Tiger and , and a publication on General Inventory of Animals in Indian Zoos. Forestry Institutions at State Level There are 63 SFTSs and Academies spread over 26 states/ UTs for imparting induction training as well as ongoing short-term refresher training courses for the frontline staff (forest guards, foresters and deputy rangers). In some states, the infrastructure of SFTSs/academies is also utilized for conducting long and short-term refresher courses for the officers of other departments and for organizing courses sponsored by other agencies State Forest Research Institutes Seven states have established their own forest research institutes to carry out research on local specific forestry and wildlife related problems / issues. In other states, a separate silvicultural wing within the SFD exists which undertakes research activities through laying of sample plots/seed orchards and observation plots, etc. In some States, the institutes have been granted partial autonomy whereas in others these function directly under the administrative control of the SFDs. FORESTRY INSTITUTION 102

Forest Development Corporations

The National Commission on Agriculture (NCA), in its report on ‘Production of Man-made Forests’ in 1976, suggested the setting up of Forest Development Corporations (FDCs) in every state to meet the domestic and industrial needs of forest produce and to restore the degraded forest areas in order to bring them under productive use. Pursuant to the recommendations of the NCA, GOI requested the state governments to set up the FDCs to cater to the needs of wood-based industries as well as domestic needs, to raise institutional finance for raising man-made forests, and for other commercial forestry activities. FDC in the state functions as a corporate body involved in the scientific management of forest resources in a manner that will ensure sustainable supply of forest produce for future generations. This requires the use of conservation and regeneration techniques, and exploitation of forest wealth in line with the policies laid down by the GOI. Strict implementation of these policies results not only in making available forest resources to the general public for productive use, but also leads to employment and revenue generation. In particular, industries involved in the manufacture of paper, safety matches, plywood, veneer, furniture, ‘katha’, etc., depend almost totally on forest products. Main Objectives for Setting up of Forest Development Corporations are:

l To plant, grow, cultivate, produce and raise plantations of all forestry species and crops and natural products of any kind and other agricultural crops and to buy, sell, export, import, process, distribute or otherwise deal in all kinds of forest plants, forest produce, natural products, agricultural and silvicultural cash crops. l To raise industrial plantations of species like eucalyptus, bamboo, etc., and to meet the raw material requirements of the wood-based industries in the state. l To carry out proper and scientific harvest of forest resources through removal and disposal of trees in lands obtained from the SFD through lease or otherwise. l Eco-friendly and diversified crop management in degraded forest lands of states. l Contributing in protection of environment and increased forest land productivity. l Providing gainful employment to local tribals and rural people. l To provide market support to farmers for marketing their forest produce. l To provide consultancy in raising bio-aesthetic plantations. l To develop land through purchase, lease or otherwise for forest resources by raising thereon plantations of economically important species like teak, bamboo, khair, semal and such other suitable species as the FDC may deem fit. l To undertake maintenance, preservation, protection and development of the existing fauna. 103 INDIA’S FORESTS

l To establish, administer, own and run industries or institutions manufacturing or dealing in forest products including NTFPs. l To undertake, transact and execute any scheme of the government or any other authority related to forests or forestry and all kinds of agency business and trusts of all kinds. Organisational Structure The FDCs are registered bodies under the Companies Act, or any such similar Act, with a memorandum of association and articles of association of the company and the powers of managing the FDC are vested with a board of directors. The power to constitute / reconstitute the board of directors from time to time is vested with the state government. The Board consists of official and non-official directors. The state government may nominate any one member amongst them as chairman and another member as vice chairman of the board of directors. One of the directors is appointed by the state government as managing director for operational management of the company. Most of the FDCs follow the three-tier administrative set up under the control of the managing director. At the head office, he is assisted by general managers, controller of accounts and financial adviser, company secretary, and chief audit officer. Normally, the general manager is of the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF)/ Conservator of Forests (CF). For field management, there are regional managers of the rank of CF/Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) who control the regions. Under regional managers there are divisional managers of the rank of DCF/ Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) who control the forest corporation divisions. Presently there are 25 FDCs in various States/UTs. Activities Some of the major activities of the FDCs include timber harvesting, furniture making, waste land afforestation, raising plantations of commercial species like teak, eucalyptus, casuarina, pines and bamboos and cash crop plantations like cocoa, tea, coffee, cashew, spices, pepper, red oil palm, cardamom, rubber and collection of NTFPs, eco-tourism, training of forestry personnel and rehabilitation of displaced communities. FORESTRY INSTITUTION 104

Forestry Services

India is one of the first few countries in the world to establish an organized forest service for the scientific management of its forests. The vision of Dr. Dietrich Brandis, a German Forester, the first IGF of India appointed during 1864, brought into existence the services of scientifically trained officers. A forest service named as ‘Imperial Forest Service’ was constituted during 1867. Initially the candidates were selected to undergo forestry training in France, Germany and United Kingdom. By 1870, forest department and a regular forest service began to function in India. The provinces also realised the increasing demand of trained personnel, and in 1891, a ‘Provincial Forest Service’ was created. With the transfer of subject of ‘forest’ from the ‘Central List’ to the control of various provinces and princely states in 1930s, the Imperial Forest Service was replaced by the Superior Forest Service of the states. The Forest Service in India has four hierarchical levels viz. IFS, SFS, FROs and the field executive staff comprising of deputy range officers, foresters and forest guards. To man the top positions of the forest administration in the states as well as in the GOI with higher duties and responsibilities, and to maintain uniform standards of forest management throughout the country, the Indian Forest Service was created as an All India Service on July 01, 1966 under the All India Services (AIS) Act 1951 (the other two being Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service). The MoEF became the cadre controlling authority for the Service in 1984. The recruitment is done on the basis of an annual all-India competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and open only to science graduates. The service conditions of the officers are governed by the rules and regulations framed under the AIS Act. The officers undergo professional training at the IGNFA, Dehradun and are allotted to 24 state/joint cadres as per the common guidelines for the three AISs. The strength and composition of each cadre is reviewed every five years by the GOI in consultation with the States concerned. The number of candidates recruited to the service differs from year to year. The strength of the Service has increased over the years from 57 in 1869, 163 in 1885, 537 in 1947 and 2,738 in 1997 to the present strength of 2821. State Forest Service SFS is one of the premier civil services of the states/UTs second in the line of command in which recruitment is made through the respective State Public Service Commissions (PSC) under the separate recruitment rules of each state/UT and about 50 percent of the officers are promoted from the FRO grade. The professional induction training is organised by the GOI run SFS colleges. SFS being a feeder service for IFS, one-third of the posts in the IFS in any state/UT cadre, are filled up by promotion from SFS through selection on merit-cum- seniority basis. The SFS officers are posted as ACFs on various functional posts in the SFDs or as Divisional Forest Officers (DFos) in-charge of territorial or functional forest divisions. 105 INDIA’S FORESTS Forest Range Officers The FROs are the key functionaries of the field operations in the forest administration. The management of the cadre of FROs is the responsibility of the respective states/UTs and recruitment is made through two methods. Direct recruitment is made through PSCs and specific number of vacancies (percentages vary from state to state) are filled through promotion from the level of Dy. FRO/forester. The professional induction training for the direct recruit FROs is also controlled/ organised by the GOI. The FROs are posted in-charge of territorial or functional ranges or are assigned special duties. Field Executive Staff The respective states/UTs are also responsible for the recruitment and cadre management of the field executive staff which comprises of three levels, viz., deputy range officers, foresters and forest guards. Recruitment to the category of forest guards is done mainly through direct recruitment by the states/UTs (except for a small percentage of posts kept for lateral entry from the ministerial staff, peons, watchers, etc. in some states) and for foresters is either through direct recruitment or through promotion from lower levels. The posts of deputy range officers are filled through promotion. The recruitment rules and the pattern of recruitment vary from state to state. The induction training to the direct recruits is imparted in the SFTSs/academies run by the respective states.