Log In APPLY NOW Apply Now

Forest Management As a career

07-11-2020 00:00:00       5437

Forest management is an important discipline. With the advancement of technology, there is a need to relook at the area keeping in view the challenges we are facing in connection with our environment. With the development of technology the life has become very comfortable but somewhere it has also threatened the very existence of human life.

As you know that forests are called the lungs of the environment! They are a factory of oxygen and various other very important natural resources.

Forest is a natural system. Forest management is a branch of forestry and is a process in which forests are tended, harvested and regenerated with overall administration that includes legal, economic, and social aspects.

In simple words, Forest Management is the development and implementation of a plan integrating all of the techniques, practices and principles required to take care of the forests. It is the science and craft of creating, managing, using, conserving and repairing forests and associated resources for human and environmental benefits.

HOW TO PURSUE A CAREER IN FOREST MANAGEMENT ?
Many colleges and universities in the country offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forestry by way of B.Sc. (Forestry) and M.Sc. (Forestry) respectively. A student must have passed Higher Secondary (class XII) in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) as compulsory subjects. This makes you eligible to apply for a B.Sc. in Forestry. If you want to dive deeper into this field, you can go for M.Sc. in Forestry which is a two-year program. Most of the agricultural institutes and universities are offering these courses.

For a master's degree in forestry, graduates in Science with subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Forestry are considered eligible. The specializations offered here are Forest Management, Forest Products, Wildlife Science, Forest Economics, Commercial Forestry, Agro-forestry to name a few. You can further study and apply for M.Phil./Ph.D in this field to become a scholar and open more doors for oneself.

Most of the institutes/ universities have a general course in forestry. However, some of these offer courses with specialization in particular branches in forestry. Topics covered under a forestry course include plantation forestry, social forestry, agro-forestry, ecology, biodiversity, tree improvement, forest hydrology and watershed management, wood science and technology, forest goods and services, forest resource management, seed technology, rangeland and pasture management, economics of forestry system, regional and global climate changes, forest geo informatics, wildlife conservation and ecotourism etc.

Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) at Bhopal is a very well-known for its Postgraduate Diploma in Forest Management equivalent to MBA. It has also launched Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Management. The institute is recognised as research centre for pursuing doctoral research of the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Some of the organizations which have recruited candidates from this reputed institute are-
The Nature Conservancy, Water Aid, World Wildlife Fund, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Grameen Foundation India. The Energy and Research Institute, Swades Foundation, Technoserve, Periyaar Tiger Reserve, Jaipur Rugs, etc. Those holding a postgraduate qualification in management with specialization in Agri- Business, Rural Management, and Rural Development may also find managerial careers in a forestry related enterprise.

Apart from this, there are certain certifications and diploma courses which one can do. These are Certificate Course in Wildlife Management, Diploma in Zoo and Wild Animals Health Cure Management or Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management (PGDFM).

SKILLS AND APTITUDE
  • Physical fitness
  • Keen to take up challenges & adventure
  • Managerial capabilities
  • Active listener
  • A genuine interest in the preservation of the natural environment and habitat
  • Mapping of the forest
  • Decision-making skills
  • Meticulous and curious nature with observation skills
  • Strong people skills
  • Communication skills
  • Ability to analyze data
  • Inclination for research and academic bent of mind
WORK DESCRIPTION
  • Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes.
  • Train and lead forest and conservation workers in seasonal activities, such as planting tree seedlings, putting out forest fires, and maintaining recreational facilities.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
  • Survey, measure, and map access roads and forest areas such as burns, cut-over areas, experimental plots, and timber sales sections.
  • Survey land or properties.
  • Prepare maps.
  • Select and mark trees for thinning or logging, drawing detailed plans that include access roads.
  • Provide information about, and enforce, regulations such as those concerning environmental protection, resource utilization, fire safety and accident prevention.
  • Supervise forest nursery operations, timber harvesting, land use activities such as livestock grazing, and disease or insect control programs.
  • Manage agricultural or forestry operations.
  • Monitor activities of logging companies and contractors.
  • Plan and supervise construction of access routes and forest roads.
  • Provide forestry education and general information, advice, and recommendations to woodlot owners, community organizations, and the general public.
  • Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
  • Perform reforestation or forest renewal, including nursery and silviculture operations, site preparation, seeding and tree planting programs, cone collection, and tree improvement.
  • Issue fire permits, timber permits, and other forest use licenses.
  • Provide technical support to forestry research programs in areas such as tree improvement, seed orchard operations, insect and disease surveys, or experimental forestry and forest engineering research.
  • Devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting.
  • Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN FOREST MANAGEMENT
Forestry experts are in every sector of employment, but there are some areas where these professionals are in much higher demand. There is a great need for those who have the breadth of knowledge and skills gained during their pursuit of a forestry degree. Some of the popular sectors are:

1. CONSERVATION
Keeping forests robust and healthy for our social enjoyment is always a worthy pursuit, but conservation means much more than that. It means enough trees to sustain our way of life for future generations, using those trees to battle soil erosion and climate change, and preserving green spaces for the wildlife that need those trees as their habitat. Those who work in forestry tend to be conservationists at heart and will take care of forests in ways that keep them thriving.

2. SAFETY & ENFORCEMENT
Forestry experts can help with everything from keeping trails safe and neat to fighting the fires that rage through woodland areas and helping ensure proper tree planting to prevent widespread erosion. Forestry professionals do everything from handson work that keeps individuals safe in recreational areas to enforcing strict regulations on logging and farming operations.

3. EARTH SCIENCES
When it comes to how we interact with the earth, forests play a vital role. Trees remove around a quarter of the CO2 humans add to the atmosphere, provide high levels of bioenergy, cool the air around them, and lead to more rainfall. They provide valuable protections for watersheds across the world, through which billions of people find their drinking water. Forests can prevent wide-scale erosion, which protects homes and businesses. Trees can also help change the soil over time, creating something richer, more mature, and perfect for farming. Forestry experts can find all sorts of ways to dive into these issues and make science their life's work.

4. TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS
Forests and the trees in them create many much-needed products, from paper products of all kinds to timber to build homes to the use of leaves in medical and personal care formulations. Forestry experts can help with all aspects of creating these items, from figuring out how to transport felled trees to keeping enough sustainable forests growing to maintain the supply chain, to looking at logistical concerns that will keep those products moving even as new seedlings begin to grow in places where the original trees were used for industry.

5. EDUCATION
The world of education needs forests for the most basic elements of teaching including paper, pencils, thousands of lessons in biology, a deeper understanding of rain cycles and soil conservation, and so much more. Forestry experts bring this kind of education to the public every day, teaching the young and old how to live in harmony with the natural world around them. Working in forestry education might take a person from the classroom to the forest, where they have the opportunity to impart knowledge and hope that will trickle down through generations of nature lovers.

6. LAW & POLICY
Forestry law is a type of environmental law that focuses on the regulations, rules, and sustainable activities that define the health of a forest for years to come. Experts in forestry law might fight to keep illegal things from happening, like logging or clear-cutting on protected land, seek ways to preserve forested areas, and help create the policy that protects the environment. This might include earning a degree in forestry and then going on to law school, or alternatively, working for years to gain the knowledge to become a forestry consultant for law firms and environmental think-tanks.

7. MANUFACTURING
Forest industry companies are looking to smart manufacturing to help them create their products in ways that don't disturb the ecosystem of a forest any more than necessary to extract the materials they need. Forestry experts who focus on these manufacturing techniques can help create a new way of looking at sustainable growth in forested areas that are used for logging and can work with companies to implement those strategies in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner.Plethora of career opportunities is available in public as well as in private sector. The public sector jobs include work in:
  • Zoological parks
  • Wildlife ranges
  • Corporate having their own
  • plantations for timbering Wildlife research institutes
  • Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and its affiliated institutes,
  • Wildlife department
  • Forest department
  • National parks & sanctuaries
  • Forest nurseries.
Those holding bachelor's degree in forestry can apply for the Central government through the Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. There are opportunities galore for post graduates from recognised institutes who can easily get a job with many national and international organisations, NGOs, consulting firms and IT companies, natural resource management organisations and financial institutions.

Apart from the Indian Forest Service, other sectors where forest experts are employed include the paper and pulp industry, the plantation industry, companies engaged in manufacturing forest products, silviculture, social forestry, wasteland development, environment sector etc. There are several on-going, international forestry and Natural Resource Management (NRM) projects.

Fresh forest managers can look forward to good placements in International organisations like International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources, WWF, JBIC and agencies engaged in bilateral projects hire consultants and advisors offering plum posts for candidates with talent and grassroots experience.

The demand for professionals in forest management is tremendous and every state has its own forest management cell to counter the problem of dwindling forest cover. Forest managers in India have to walk the tight rope in trying to tackle problems like illicit felling, poaching, human interference and rampant encroachment. Moreover unlike other sectors like Info Tech, this sector is largely immune to market volatility, and thus, provides substantial job security and satisfaction.

New disciplines like adventure ecotourism and social forestry are also areas that you could branch out to. Your job profile will also require that you use your marketing skills to sell forest produce.

THE JOB PROFILES IN FORESTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
  • Forester
  • Forest Range Officer
  • Forestry Technicians
  • Forest Officer
  • Forest Professionals
  • Natural Resource Technician
  • Operations Forester
  • Senior Forestry Consultant
  • Foresters Silviculturist
  • Sales/Business Development Officer
  • Auditor - Forestry
Academics: For an academic career you may join an agricultural university/college where forestry and related subjects are taught. For the purpose you have to meet the requirements of Universities Grants Commission.

Research: There is ample scope of research in various disciplines of forestry. Research can be pursued at universities, forestry institutes and specialised research agencies established by government bodies. Research can be followed after postgraduation in forestry and allied subjects.

THE UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES THAT OFFERS FORESTRY COURSES IN INDIA ARE:
  • Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
  • Forest Research Institute University, Dehra Dun
  • Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh
  • Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
  • Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Uttar Pradesh
  • GB. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Arid Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur
  • Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur
  • Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore
Therefore, Forest Management is the way that forests and the trees within them are protected and used to provide forest products and other benefits. Thus, with 31% of our planet covered in forest, we need trained professionals to preserve and protect them. But growing populations are putting pressure on forests, and global warming is making trees more vulnerable to fire, clear cutting, and erosion. This means an increased need for soil scientists, fire ecologists, and other forestry professionals to enter the workforce.
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed."- ? Mahatma Gandhi

- Employment News
Nidhi Prasad
07-11-2020




SRPK - An easiest way to get the Government Job in India

User testimonials

Users get excited when they discover the difference SRPK makes to their career.

Ticket Support

Send email to support@srpk.in from your registered email Id

 

CALLBACK

type 684YQ send SMS to 9220592205

 

0858-606-6563

Universal Access Number
1860-180-1890


This Website is fully secured and verified. Payment Transactions on the site are protected with up to 256-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption.