Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Agriculture & Food Science

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

BHU UET, BHU PET, WBJEE, KEAM, TSEAM CET, AP EAPCET, ICAR PG, ICAR UG

About Career 

1. Forests are vast covers with trees that support all forms of life within their ecosystem, thus allowing multiple ecosystems to coexist. Forestry is the practice of managing these forest areas for various purposes such as agricultural (extraction of palm oil, soy, and biofuels) and commercial purposes (wood, medicinal plants, oil). It is important to protect and conserve these forests by abiding by the laws of sustainability. This will ensure that the forest won’t be exploited and that there will be enough resources available for future generations. These resources include soil, wildlife, fish, water, and plants.

2. Forestry Scientists study and research the various aspects of forestry such as Ecology, Climate Change and Forest Influence, Forest Informatics, Forest Soil and Land Reclamation, and Resource Survey and Management. As a scientist, you will also Study different tree species' classification, life history, light and soil requirements, adaptation to new environmental conditions, and resistance to disease and insects.

3. Another type of forest professional is a Forest Manager. A Forest Manager supervises the overall activities that happen in the forest such as which trees are being cut, and which land is most suitable to grow certain trees and plants, and must make sure that all activities adhere to government regulations. As a Forest Manager, you will be involved in managing forest contractors carrying out operations and supervising the business and financial side of forest operations.

4. A Forestry Professional can also work in the Indian Forest Service (IFS)  which helps in the implementation of the National Forest Policy to ensure economic stability. As an IFS officer, you will have administrative, judicial, and financial powers over your domain, and will work for the state and central government. IFS officers are also permissible to foreign governments, United Nations bodies, international organizations, and NGOs.

Key roles and responsibilities

The role of a Forestry Professional is very crucial to our planet as well as its inhabitants. Some of your responsibilities will include:

1. Multitasking across several areas of responsibility such as pest management, wilderness protection, habitat enhancement, and public recreation. All these aspects must be analyzed and studied as to how they affect the forest ecosystem and what kind of measures should be taken when tackling problems such as wildfires and plant diseases. Forestry scientists also plan and direct forest surveys and related studies and prepare reports and recommendations.

2. Managing different duties such as organizing the marketing and sale of timber, arranging the planting, thinning, felling, transporting, and selling of trees, developing ideas for recreational use of the forest (including nature trails, parking, and campsites), and monitoring the condition of the forest for any signs of disease.

3. Working for the government and carrying out activities such as managing forest, environment, and wildlife-related issues, working closely with forest dwellers and scheduled tribes, and safeguarding forest policies and laws.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies- Class 11-12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies- Bachelor’s of Science (B.Sc) in Forestry / Wildlife / Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources / BSc Honours in Forestry. 

After Class 11-12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies, you can get a Bachelor’s degree in Science (B.Sc) in Forestry / Wildlife / Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources / BSc Honors in Forestry.

After Class 11-12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies, you can get a Bachelor’s degree in Science (B.Sc) in Forestry / Wildlife / Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources / BSc Honors in Forestry. After this, you can pursue an M.Sc in Forestry. After doing a Master’s, you can further get a Ph.D.

After completing Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, you get a Bachelor’s degree and study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Forest Management (PGDFM).

After completing Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies, you can get a Bachelor’s degree with subjects like Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science/ Botany/ Chemistry/ Geology/ Mathematics/ Physics/ Statistics/ Zoology. You also have the option of doing a B.Sc or B. Tech course in Agriculture / Forestry to qualify for taking the Indian Forest Service entrance exam.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

Forestry Science Pathway

1. You can either do a B.Sc. in Forestry or a related subject or do a Bachelor’s degree in Botany/ Chemistry/ Geology/ Mathematics/ Physics/ Zoology/ Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Agricultural Biotechnology.

2. Then you can opt for a Master’s degree in Forestry. To develop a rewarding career, you may opt to do a Ph.D.

Forest Management Pathway

You may also study for a Bachelor’s degree in any subject and then do a PG Diploma or an equivalent course in Forest Management.

Indian Forest Services Pathway

You can do a Bachelor’s degree in any of the following subjects:

1. Agriculture

2. Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

3. Botany

4. Chemistry

5. Forestry

6. Geology

7. Mathematics

8. Physics

9. Statistics

10. Zoology

Competencies Required

Interests

1. Investigative: You should have an interest in Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision-making, and problem-solving.

2. Realistic: You should have an interest in Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.  

Abilities

1. Abstract Reasoning: The ability to understand ideas that are not expressed in words or numbers; the ability to understand concepts that are not clearly expressed verbally or otherwise.

2. Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.

3. Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analyzing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.

4. Inter-Personal: The ability to build and maintain good relationships with others at workplaces and elsewhere.

5. Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to recognize different flora and fauna of the world; sensitivity towards nature and natural surroundings; sensitivity towards the needs of different flora and fauna.

6. Verbal Reasoning: The ability to think and reason with words; the ability to reason out ideas expressed in words.

7. Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

1. Biological Sciences: Knowledge of plants and animals, their anatomical structure, cell structure, tissues, physiological functions, evolution, and all other related aspects.

Skills

1. Active Learning: Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation, and otherwise for application in getting work done.

2. Coordination: Skills in working together with other people to get things done.

3. Critical Thinking: Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

4. Judgment and Decision Making: Skills in considering the pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; and taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

5. Problem Solving: Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems, and using the best option to solve the problems.

6. Reading Comprehension: Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

7. Scientific: Skills in using various scientific rules and methods to get things done or solve problems.

Personality

1. You are somewhat organized in your day-to-day life and activities.

2. You are somewhat careful about your actions and behavior.

3. You are imaginative sometimes.

4. You prefer to experience new things and have new experiences sometimes.

5. You act independently sometimes but do not do so at some other times.

6. You are always practical in most situations.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

1. After M.Sc., you can work as a Research Associate or Junior Research Fellow and then as a Senior Research Fellow in forest research institutes/universities.

2. After M.Sc., you can work as a Project Assistant in NGOs and forest research organizations/NGOs dealing with forest resources and related issues.

3. After your Ph.D., you can work as a Forestry Scientist/ Assistant Professor at a university.

4. After doing your PGDM course from IIFM or other similar courses, you can work as a Management Trainee in companies involved in dealing with forest resources such as plywood and other wood product manufacturing companies, matchbox manufacturing companies, etc.

5. After qualifying to work in the Indian Forest Services (IFS), you can first start working as an Assistant Conservator of Forests for any Government organization.

Work Environment

A forestry professional may have an office they may report to, but most of your work is done on-site/outdoors. A good deal of traveling is involved, and sometimes you may be away from home for days together. You will also be working through poor weather conditions as well to get the job done. Apart from the weather, your work will involve dealing with challenging landscapes as well such as wildfires, contaminated areas, and icy roads. You will have the pleasure of encountering wildlife that most people will only ever read about in books or watch on TV.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

1. Cellulose & Paper Technologist

Cellulose and paper technology is the study of the applications of carbohydrate polymers in areas such as food, textiles, paper, wood, adhesives, and oil field applications. As a cellulose and paper technologist, you will learn about the manufacturing process of paper from raw materials and process them with heat, chemicals, etc. to make them usable for customers.

2. Forest Biotechnologist

Forest biotechnology is the means of growing trees with distinctive characteristics. Society, as well as the environment, can benefit from tree breeding technologies if used responsibly since there is an attempt for a rapid expansion of biotech trees to meet the high demand for forest products, as well as protect the forest against these demands. A few examples of breeding technologies are Conventional breeding, Asexual propagation, and Organogenesis.

3. Forest Ecologist

Forest ecology is the study of all aspects of a forest and its relationship with other organisms (flora, fauna, and microorganisms). As a forest ecologist, you must identify which forests need to be protected by law to control human intervention. Your role will also involve evaluating trees (to be thinned, harvested, or planted), learning fire management techniques, and accounting for the forest wildlife when discussing commercial plans for the land.

4. Forest Pathologist

Pathogens are parasitic microorganisms that cause diseases and forest pathology is a sub-discipline of plant pathology which is the study of plant diseases. As a forest pathologist, you need to identify the source of the disease and then identify how it spreads. Next, you must explore the ecological and economic impacts of the disease and its management techniques. Forest pathology also teaches you about many other avenues such as molecular biology, soils, plant anatomy, and biochemistry.

5. Forest Resources Manager

Forest resource management is the process of keeping the forests viable for future generations. It involves keeping track of the population of tree species, tree growth rate, and size, and tracking threats to the forest such as diseases, insects, wildfires, and overharvesting. Another part of the job is dealing with people and helping create agreements between various parties who have different purposes for using forest land.

6. Forestry Scientist

Forestry scientists research forest growth, types of trees, wood processing, and conservation efforts. Some of the tasks of these scientists include investigating a new species of trees that might be of commercial interest, studying parts of the forest industry such as wood and paper export, giving technical advice on issues such as climate change, and writing and publishing reports of research findings.

7. Silviculturist

Silviculturists look at forest regeneration and the quality of trees. As a silviculturist, you will be monitoring forest activities and adhering to government laws, planning and implementing conservation projects, removing diseased or unwanted trees, and supervising and planning tree-planting programs.

Career Growth

1. As a scientist, you will first be hired for the starting position of a scientist. After you gain a few years of experience, you can get promoted to the position of Senior Scientist. Post that, you can get promoted to Principal Scientist, Deputy Scientist, and then a Director.

2. If you are hired as a research associate, you will first hold the rank of a Research Fellow. You can then get promoted to a Scientist’s title, and then a senior scientist. Following this, you can get promoted to a Deputy Scientist and then a Director.

3. If you opt for a job in the management department, you will first be hired as a management trainee. After a few years of experience, you can work as an assistant manager and then in the position of a manager. You can further get promoted to a senior manager and then an associate VP. On further experience, you can work at the rank of a VP and finally as a President/CEO/COO.

4. If you choose to work in the Indian Forest Services (IFS), you will start working as an Assistant Conservator of Forests, and then a Deputy Conservator of Forests. Climbing further up the ladder, you can work as Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests, and then as an Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. On further promotion, you can work as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and ultimately as Director of Forests/ Head of Forest Forces.

Salary Offered  

1. A recent graduate will earn a starting salary of Rs. 25,000 - 30,000 per month. On a junior to a mid-level job, you can earn a salary of Rs. 50,000 - Rs, 80,000 per month.

2. As an IFS fresher/junior (pay level 10-13), you can earn a starting salary of Rs. 55,000 - 1,00,000 per month. On a mid-level position (pay level 13A-14), you can earn Rs. 1,00,000 - 1,75,000 per month. On a senior level (pay level 15-17), you can draw a salary of Rs. 1,75,000 - 2,50,000 per month.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also shortly, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Not Available

Work Activities 

1. Analyzing and interpreting data and information: Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision-making.

2. Communicating with co-workers and others: Communicating with people in writing, verbally or otherwise inside your workplace and various other people who have professional relationships with your place of work including vendors, government officials, etc., or with people at large.

3. Decision-making and problem-solving: Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; making the right decisions and solving problems.

4. Getting Information and learning: Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

5. Identifying objects, actions, and events: Identifying various characteristics of objects; observing and understanding actions and events; understanding changes in actions and events.

6. Providing advice and consultation to others: Giving advice or consultation to others about various issues, conceptual matters, know-how, scientific matters, products, or services.

7. Training and teaching: Understanding the educational and training needs of others, developing training programs and educational programs, conducting training programs, teaching and instructing others.

8. Updating and using relevant knowledge: Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and using the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

9. Using computers for work: Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and processing information; for writing.

10. Working in a team: Working in a team of people; developing a team; and maintaining professional relationships among team members.