Course Details
To start a career in Forestry a B.Sc degree in this subject is required. The minimum qualification for B.Sc Forestry is 10+2 pass with science subjects. Further studies can be pursued in M.Sc. Forestry for which minimum qualification is a bachelor's degree Forestry. At this level specialized subjects are offered like Forest Management, Commercial Forestry, Forest Economics, Wood Science & Technology and Wildlife Science. Besides these courses there is Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management offered by professional institutions. Those who are interested in further study can opt for M.Phil/PhD degree in Forestry which opens of more opportunities.
Career Prospects
As the consciousness among the people for conservation of forest is growing, so also the career opportunities available to Forestry graduates are also increasing. Forestry graduates can take up jobs in various government departments like department of forest and wildlife. They can be employment in NGOs working in conservation and up gradation of forests. Corporate houses involved in timber plantations also need the services of Forestry graduates. They also can take up research work in public sector research institutions like Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation and Wildlife Research Institutes.
They also can be employed in Botanical and Zoological parts, Wildlife sanctuaries and National parks. They also can take up teaching jobs in many universities offering Forestry as a subject. Other career options available to Forestry graduates are still photography, film making and wildlife journalism. There may also be opportunities in television channels like Discovery and Natural Geographic. Further Forestry graduates can run their own private consultancy in environmental impact assessment of large projects. Organizations like World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Centre for Environment Education, Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) and consultancy firms like Ernst and Young and KPMG hire a number of Forest and Wildlife graduates.
Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Several universities and institutes offer forestry courses throughout the country. Some names are given here. Forestry Research Institute, Dehra Dun; Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal; Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar; Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun; Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi; College of Forestry, Thrissur (Kerala); Forest Research Institute, Dehradun; Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara; North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong; Agricultural College And Research Institute, Coimbatore; College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Akola; College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Hisar; College of Agricultural Engineering, Ludhiana; College of Agriculture and Regional Research Station, Dharwad, (Karnataka); College Of Forestry, Srinagar and College of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (Himachal Pradesh).
Remuneration
Forestry graduates working in government agencies get salary as fixed by the concerned governments. Their salary ranges between Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 per month depending upon qualification and experiences. Those working in corporate houses and consultancy companies have very lucrative pay packages along with numerous fringe benefits. Salary and other allowances are even higher in international agencies, media houses and consultancy firms. Now days NGOs are also offering lucrative pay packages to experts in forestry and wildlife. Private consultants have also good earning depending upon number and nature of their clients.
