Forestry/Wildlife
Forestry is the science of the development and care of forests; the management of growing timber.
Forestry or forest management is considered as both independent scientific branch and practical field, containing many aspects of forestry, which formulates synthetic conclusions indicating the main directions of management. It is engaged in the formation of the relation between nature and the man on the basis of knowledge of forest state, demand society for forest functions as well as scientific achievements and experience in solving the problems of running and organic structure of the forest.
Issues like global warming, deforestation, global climatic change, water scarcity, natural disasters, etc., are all related to the effective and controlled use of forest wealth. With 175 million hectares constituting wasteland and another 110 million hectare forming severely degraded land in India, the need of the hour is to rejuvenate it through forestry-related programs. The profession of forestry has experienced rapid and perceptible changes in the last years. What used to be considered as a business and a responsibility of the local villagers has turned into a field of global concern where the preservation and conservation of biodiversity play the main role.
"The study of nature has no beginning and it has no end," Jim Corbett had said in Jungle Lore. And the forests of our country provide an opportunity to spend a lifetime in admiring nature and make a living at the same time. In the remote areas of India, where a sizable proportion of the population depends on forests, directly or indirectly for the raw materials, employment and other daily needs, forestry is the main source of employment. In these areas appropriate steps are undertaken towards energy conservation, proper utilization of wastelands and goods and services are also produced.
Nature of work:
Forester takes care of forest resources by protecting them from fire, pests, disease, encroachment and indiscriminate felling of trees. Their tasks typically involve:
- They advise clients on good forestry practices
- They advising woodland owners on planting design and species choice, budgeting, public access, ecological surveys, and forest certification;
- They are entrusted with the task of organizing the growing, harvesting, marketing and sale of timber;
- Annual work programs are planned and implemented by them and they ensure the effective use of resources to meet the current objectives of the forest area;
- They supervising forest workers and contractors in the field
- They help in wasteland development
- They contact the customers, landowners, timber merchants, the public and local authorities
- Liaising with and working on many projects with other professionals, such as landscape architects, biologists, surveyors and engineers, and charitable bodies
- They have to attend meetings of professional bodies Keeping up to date with legal changes and other developments;
- Budgets are planned and controlled by them and they prepare costing and financial forecasts
- Forest managers/foresters are also involved in forest protection, which is a wide-ranging part of the role reflecting the government's desire to promote sustainable forest management. This includes:
- Conducting research in areas such tree improvement and entomology;
- Monitoring existing forestry practices;
- Protecting forests from illegal felling, pests and diseases;
- Ensuring that the presence of forests does not affect the surrounding environment and wildlife by damaging wildlife habitats, water supplies or soil. They help in promoting eco-tourism.
Following are the personal attributes required to be a forester
- Liking for outdoors,
- Spirit of adventure, good health,
- Stamina and physical fitness,
- Patience, scientific temperament,
- Organizing ability,
- Public relations skills,
- Practicality, courage,
- Decision-making ability,
- Capacity to work long hours,
- A genuine interest in the preservation of the natural environment and habitat,
- Inclination for research and academic bent of mind,
- Curiosity and excellent skills of observation,
- Interest in agriculture and geography.
- B.Sc. Forestry requires 10+2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics.
- M.Sc. Forestry in specializations such as Forest Management, Commercial Forestry, Forest Economics, Wood Science & Technology, Wildlife Science, and Veterinary Science requires B.Sc. Forestry or a graduate degree in related fields.
- Post-graduates for Forestry or related Master programs may go for Ph.D. and/or research.
Courses:
- B.Sc. Forestry
- M.Sc. Forestry
- B.Sc. Wildlife
- M.Sc. Wildlife
- M.Sc. Wood Science & Tech.
After achieving a bachelor’s degree in botany, an individual can work as a biological technician, whereas a post graduate degree holder in botany makes him/her eligible for choosing a career in teaching or to take up research work in any well-known university.
Moreover, one can join any reputed organization as plant explorers, conservationists, ecologists, environment consultants, horticulturist, plant biochemist, nursery manager, genetics, molecular biologist, taxonomist, plant pathologist, environmental consultant and farming consultant.
Few job titles:
- Mycologist
- Administrators
- Ecologist
- Fruit Growers
- Plant Biochemist
- Forester
- Researchers
Few job sectors:
- Biotechnology Firms
- Seed And Nursery Companies
- Plant Resources Laboratory
- Educational Institutions
- Plant Health Inspection Services
- Oil Industry
- Arboretum
- Forest Services
- Land Management Agencies
- National Parks
- Chemical Industry
- Food Companies
- Biological Supply Houses
Remuneration:
- Rs. 10000 plus from NGO or private organizations
- Rs. 4575 – Rs. 8000 for government positions
- Rs. 15000 – Rs. 20,000 for researchers, Ethnologists, Entomologists, Silviculturistsis, Forest Range Officers, and Zoo curators etc.
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