Work study Report on the Department of Forest and Wild Life in Government Secretariat- 2011 [pdf]

Forest & Wild Life Department

Kerala Forest Department (KFD) is one of the few oldest and important administrative organs of the State with its Headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram.

KFD like other state departments in India, has evolved over last one and half century in response to changes in Forest Policy, priorities in five year plans and demands on the forests. The forests of Kerala will be managed with the following objectives;

• To conserve and expand unique and complex natural forests of Kerala for posterity, in particular with regard to water; biodiversity; extent; productivity; soil, environmental, historical, cultural and aesthetic values, without affecting their ecological processes.
• To increase the productivity of forest plantations through appropriate management interventions and use of modern technology to meet the needs of the present and future generations.
• To increase the tree cover both inside and outside the forest to meet the timber & non-timber demands of the society.
• To conserve, maintain and enhance the existing gene pool of the state for posterity. To reduce pressure on forest through appropriate interventions.
• To meet the livelihood needs of tribes and other forest dependent communities.
• To sustainably conserve and manage biodiversity-rich and sensitive ecosystems such as mangroves, sacred groves, coastal areas, wetlands, homesteads, private plantations etc. which are outside the control of the Forest Department.
• To improve the standard of living of the forest dependent tribes and village communities.

Major subjects assigned to the department are Forest Protection, Biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife Management and Research, Forest Development, Social Forestry, Forest Vigilance and Evaluation, Eco-development and Tribal Welfare, Planning and Research, Tribal Rehabilitation and Special Afforestation, Infrastructure and Human Resource Development, FMIS, General Administration including Recruitment and Establishment matters, etc.

Mission and Vision of the department

Vision

Improving and sustaining healthy living conditions through conservation of bio diversity, protection of environment, soil, water etc. and empowering forest tribes, women and other weaker sections of the society through scientific, transparent and responsible methods.

Mission

1. To increase the inflow of water to the reservoirs by improving the tree cover/ forest cover over catchment areas.
2. To manage forests by ensuring a holistic development of the welfare of forest tribes, women and other weaker     sections residing on the fringes of forests and bringing their social and economic conditions on par with the rest of the general populations in the State.
3. To increase the productivity and resource potentials of forests in general and plantations in particular by raising their conditions to international standards.  
4. Take Kerala to greater heights in the matter of biodiversity conservation and resource generation.
5. Managing forests in such a way that it protects and enriches the social and cultural values of the State.
6. Perpetuate and foster the inherent values and the cultural heritage of tribal communities.
7. Arrest the degradation of traditional forest tracts and to regain their past glory through suitable actions.
8. Ensure protection and expansion of mangroves, sacred groves and other highly sensitive ecosystems.
9. Carry out baseline activities for the conservation and management of wetlands as well as other water resources for improving the aquifer and water absorption capacity of soil.
10. Protect, conserve and improve wildlife habitats.
11. Plant as many trees as possible in all the non forest lands as well as in other suitable areas available outside the  forests to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
12. Protect and conserve migratory birds and their habitats.
13. Create nature conservation awareness among public through eco-tourism activities and awareness programmes.

Organisational Structure

      The Kerala Forest department is headed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is assisted by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Chief Conservator of Forests (Development), Chief Conservator of Forests (Protection), Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), Chief Conservator of Forests (FMIS), Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD), Chief Conservators of Forests (Social Forestry), Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration), Chief Conservator of Forests (Eco-Development & Tribal Welfare), Chief Conservator of Forests (Working Plan and Research) and two Regional Additional Principal Chief Conservators one at Kollam and one at Kozhikode.

For general administration there are forest circles headed by Chief Conservators of Forests, under their jurisdiction Forest Divisions are controlled by Divisional Forest Officers. Each Division is further sub divided into Forest Ranges manned by Forest Rangers reporting to the Divisional Forest Officers.

• Organisational Structure