Forest Officer

A forest officer is the executive in charge of a forest range and is a designated Group B gazetted government officer of a state forest service. Forest officers compile and submit work reports, conserve, protect, and manage forests, as well as record related revenue and expenditures. They assign tasks to and manage a staff of forest guards, watchers, section officers and deputy rangers throughout the woods. They answer to the divisional forest officer and assistant conservator of forests, who provide them instructions. 

The demand for Forest officers is expected to remain high. There are various specializations within this field. With proficiency in multiple areas, Forest officers perform multiple responsibilities. Forest officers are responsible for protecting ecosystems and wildlife within their range. They provide information about the nature or park to the visitors, patrolling the grounds to ensure park guests follow the rules and do not disrupt the natural environment or other visitors, research and conservation, and law enforcement responsibilities. 

They also conduct educational tours and answer questions, and they may participate in search-and-rescue operations. Many Forest officers work in the visitor centres within their parks and provide visitors with maps with information about areas of interest and let them know about any off-limits area to visitors.

The various responsibilities of Forest officers also include providing information about nature to the visitors, performing research and conservation, law enforcement duties, etc. They also perform emergency medical services, apart from protecting natural resources. 

It is a noble profession and is also critically needed because of depleting forestland. Forest rangers perform critical tasks towards the bigger picture of balancing the ecosystem and spreading awareness about issues like global warming, deforestation etc.

Forest economics, watershed management, forest biology, reforestation, tree improvements, aromatic and medicinal plant study are gaining momentum.

The primary duty of a forest officer is to protect the natural resources of the forest and to stop any illegal activity that can harm or endanger the forest's flora, trees, birds, or wildlife. 

Among the responsibilities of an Indian forester are the following: -

• Regularly inspecting and surveying the forest's flora, fauna, topography, soil, and acreage.
• Assigning different tasks to subordinates and monitoring their progress.
• Be on the lookout for poachers, hunters, trespassers, encroachers, and vandals at all times.
• Giving injured animals and birds medical attention and moving them to a secure area of the park.
• Watching over and putting out forest fires. 
• Preventing livestock from grazing on forest area, such as goats and sheep.
• Planting trees in woods and caring for already-existing plants and trees.
• Monitoring the ethical economic exploitation of forest resources.
• Seizing illegally cut timber, animal parts, or poached animals
• Overseeing the building of cabins, fences, canals, dams, paths, bridges and roads in the forest.
• Overseeing the installation of telephone and electricity lines.
• Examining mining, sawmill, agricultural, and other claims.
• Installing educational placards and signboards in the proper places.
• Preparing documentation and reports for the forest ministry and department.
   

Route to become a Forest Officer

• 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
• B.Sc in Forestry/ B.Sc in Genetic Resources and Tree Improvement/ B.Sc - Hons in Forestry/ B.Sc in Wildlife
• M.Sc in forestry/ M.Sc in Wood Science and Technology/ M.Sc in Agroforestry/ M.Sc in Forest Products/ M.Sc in Tree improvements/ M.Sc in Wildlife Sciences
• M. Phil or PhD degree in Forestry.

Significant Statistics

To get into the college of your choosing, you must pass difficult entrance examinations and occasionally, in-person interviews. You can take the admission examinations listed below:

• All India Pre-Veterinary Test (AIPVT)
• Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE Main)
• Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE Advanced)
• National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA)
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
• National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)
• Banaras Hindi University Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU UET)
• Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)
• Aligarh Muslim University Engineering Entrance Exam (AMUEEE)

• After clearing the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), you can apply for positions in the forest sector in India. To find trained forest officials, the Indian government holds the tough IFS test at the All India level. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) and the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) are the two successive stages of the test.

PG Programs in forestry offers the following specializations:

• Forest Management
• Forest Products
• Commercial Forestry
• Wood Science and Technology
• Agroforestry
• Tree Genetics and Breeding
• Silviculture
• Wildlife Science
• Forest Economics

Diploma and certificate courses:

• Certificate Course in Wildlife Management
• Diploma in Wild Animal Health care and Zoo Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Forestry Management (PGDFM)
• Post Master's Diploma in Non-Wood Forest Products.
   

Pros

• One can spend time with nature and forest areas while normal people are not allowed
• As like other all india service IFoS officers also get a vehicle with driver, house ,servants for house help and also free or least house rent, free telephone service, free electricity and many more
• They also have a chance to study abroad after spending 9 yrs in service but they also have work for 3 yrs after finishing their studies. ( They are not allowed to take more than 2 yrs in their studies and must return to work after given intervals of time)
• Less political interference
• Given bonus for extraordinary performance, life time pension
• Permanent and secured job

Cons

• Extreme working hours requires physical strength and stamina.
• Job demands to deal with dangerous work areas, unpredictable weather conditions, dangerous wildlife and poisonous plants
• As environmental work is often developed from international policy or good practice, travel abroad to conferences and meetings may be common in some posts.
• The balance between field work and office-based work varies considerably, with more administration, statistical analysis and report writing associated with senior positions.
• Less or no security
• Animal attack risks