The Work

The work done by forestry officials and active social workers involves the protection of existing forests and wastelands, encouraging afforestation and planting of trees, while preventing deforestation, and protecting wildlife. 

At the government level, it also involves verification of the cutting of trees, permitting the establishment of sawmill factories, and protection of the forests during the fire season. Silviculture is an important practice in forestry. It involves the growth of plantations from which periodic harvests are extracted.

Major Tasks Performed

ADVISORY TASKS

Various non-governmental, as well as governmental organizations encourage the proper maintenance of the earth's finite energy resources, which are largely non-renewable. For this they offer advice and undertake efforts towards spreading general awareness regarding the deterioration of the natural environment, the preservation of forests and forest cover and the prevention of their misuse. 

Forestry officials also work as industrial and agricultural consultants in various organizations, and as financial consultants in the forestry organizations.

PLANNING

At the executive level, various policy decisions are made for the protection and preservation of forest resources. Schemes are devised for the conservation of forests and wildlife, at the Central as well as regional level. Work in this area also involves sanctioning of sawmill factories and verifying the cutting of trees.

MANUFACTURE

Various forestry experts are involved in the production of paper, as well as timber and wood based
products. They could also work in the timber factories and paper mills, where paper is produced from bamboo extracts. 

PREVENTIVE TASKS

Forestry officials are often very busy during the fire season, when the spread of fire in the forests
is to be controlled. Forests being especially susceptible to catching fire, a strict vigil has to be kept during this season. Preventive tasks also include protecting wildlife and preventing the cutting of trees.

WASTELAND DEVELOPMENT

Wasteland development involves the effective utilization and development of land, which is not fertile. The effective utilization of industrial wastes and residues is also encouraged.

SOCIAL FORESTRY

Social forestry basically involves the planting of trees. This is a broad term, which also encompasses agro-forestry (planting of trees in agricultural areas), farm forestry planting of trees in farms), community forestry (plantation in villages), avenue plantations, ornamental forestry (for decorative purposes) and urban forestry (planting of trees in towns and cities). This is an important effort, which helps in the maintenance of forest resources and the expansion of forest cover.

ECO TOURISM

Eco-tourism involves the development of forests and wildlife sanctuaries in order to encourage tourism. This is an important concern of both the government as well as the private sector organizations. Various nature camps are also organized and encouraged for this purpose.

RESEARCH AND TEACHING

Apart from teaching in the various universities, foresters are also provided with ample opportunities for research. Research is especially conducted in the area of agro-forestry. The Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests that conducts research in forestry. 

The institute has branches in Dehradun, Shimla, Jodhpur, Jabalpur, Jorhat, Ranchi, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Allahabad, Chilwara and Hyderabad.