Forestry deals with the management, protection, conservation and improvement of forest resources. Forests form part of the vital natural resources of a country. The forests play vital role in improvement of quality of life and contribute in ecology and economy of the nation. The forest significantly contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The issues like global warming, deforestation, global climatic change, water scarcity, natural disasters, etc. are effectively resolved by judicious use of forest wealth.

Specially trained personnel are needed to maintain and regenerate the forest cover, forest wealth and resources. The awareness among the people about the conservation of forest has resulted in the increased career opportunities forestry. 

Corporate sector provides very lucrative pay packages along with numerous fringe benefits to the forest experts.  NGOs are also offering good pay packages to experts in forestry and wildlife. The private consultants have good earning depending on the number and nature of their clients.

Students with Physics, Chemistry and Biology at 12th std are eligible for B.Sc Forestry course. For M.Sc. Forestry the minimum qualification is a bachelor's degree in Forestry. Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management is offered by various professional institutions. Interested students can opt for M.Phil/PhD degree in Forestry which opens many more career opportunities. The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal offers a study programme in Forest Management. There are also opportunities for doing Ph.D in Forestry at the recognised centres.  

• Deep interest in field work. 
• Spirit of adventure and courage.
• Good health, stamina and physical fitness.
• Patience
• Scientific temperament.
• Organizing ability.
• Public relations skills
• Capacity to work for long hours.
• A genuine interest in the preservation of the natural environment and habitat.
• Inclination for research and academic bent of mind and curiosity.
• Excellent skills of observation.
• Interest in Botany, Zoology, Agriculture and Geography.

If you record “Yes” for maximum questions then it indicates that you have potential for perusing career in the field of Forestry.

• Do I have passion for nature, plants and animals?
• Do I have ability to handle enormous amount of data? 
• Do I like to travel frequently?
• Am I ready to bear inconvenience if I am in forest?
• Do I love systematic way of working?
• Do I prepare a written plan before doing any practical?
• Do I have passion for field work?
• Do I have ability to work independently as well in group?
• Do I have analysing and interpreting skills?
• Do I read latest scientific news, books and research magazines?
• Do I have a creative mind and deep thinking?
• Do I have ability of keen observation?
• Am I ready to learn and adopt new techniques?

• Forest and wildlife Government departments.
• NGOs (working in conservation of forests).
• Corporate houses (involved in timber plantations).
• Industries that utilise forest resources employ industrial and agricultural consultants.
• Botanical and zoological parks, wild sanctuaries and national parks.
• Research work in public sector research institutions viz. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Institute of Social Forestry, Eco-rehabilitation and Wildlife Research Institutes, and many more.
• Teaching jobs in colleges and Universities.
• Still photography, film making and wildlife journalism.
• Opportunities in television channels like Discovery and Natural Geographic.
• Consultancy in environmental impact assessment. 
• Technical jobs such as Geographic Information Systems operators, tree markers, tree planter’s etc. are also available.

• Forest Range Officers (IFS).
• Dendrologists
• Ethologists
• Entomologists
• Silviculturists (forest propagation and culture)
• Professors and researchers

Self-employment:

• Mass plantation companies
• Consultant firm

• Forest Department.
• Private estate owners.
• Enviroment assessement firms.
• Government Instittutes.
• NGO's
  

Courses after 12th std

• Certificate Course in forest management.
• B.Sc. Forestry
• B.Sc. Wildlife.

Courses after Graduation

•  M.Sc. Forestry
• M.Sc. Wood Science and Technology
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Forest Management (PGDFM ) is a field based course which combines managerial qualities concordant with the demands made by the forestry sector.

Distance course:

•  B.Sc Forestry Dr Y S Parmar University www.yspuniversity.ac.in

Several Universities and institutes offer forestry courses throughout the country.

• Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. www.fri.icfre.gov.in
  
• Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. www.iifm.ac.in
  
• Institutions in Forestry Education and Research (ICFRE) Dehradun (UP) www.icfre.org
  
• Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) located at Dehradun.
  
• Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun. www.wii.gov.in
  
• North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. www.nehu.ac.in
  
• Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun www.ignfa.gov.in
  
• Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute, Bangalore www.ipirti.gov.in
  
• G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environ-ment and Development, Almora www.gbpihed.gov.in

1. Indian forest Services (IFS) Examination (UPSC) Further details:  www.upsc.gov.in Minimum Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree Science/Agriculture/Engineering/Forestry www.ifs.nic.in 
2. Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. www.iifm.ac.in
3. State forest Services: State forest officials are recruited by State Public Service Commissions of the respective states. The eligibility for candidates and the examination pattern is almost on the same pattern as for Indian Forest Service examinations.

• Botany
  
• Environmental Sciences
• Zoology