Career as Forest Manager

Last Updated By Harleen Kaur on 26 Mar, 2022

How to Become a Forest Manager

About Forest Manager

Managers of forests and woodlands are responsible for preserving and protecting them. They are accountable for managing the areas that are used for timber harvesting, public recreation, and natural preservation in a safe and sustainable manner. They advise local authorities, charities, and professional bodies on land use matters, and on the balance between economic and environmental priorities. Forest managers work at both an office and outdoors in rural areas, in all kinds of weather, and can be physically taxing.

Forests are an integral part of an ecosystem, as we all know. Therefore, forest management is needed and is performed by foresters (forest professionals). Those who practice forestry are known as Foresters.

Responsibilities of a Forest Manager

Provided below is the responsibility shared by a Forest Manager. Go through the pointers to understand the job profile better.

  • Offering advice about care and maintenance of trees to forest/woodland owners.
  • Making arrangements for contract work to be performed (e.g. planting and harvesting).
  • Executing general maintenance tasks.
  • Coordinating conservation projects, managing budgets, and planning.
  • Providing wood, trees, and land valuation services.
  • Maintaining relationships with woodland owners, timber merchants, contractors, customers, and the general public.

Eligibility to become Forest Manager

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria of a forest manager. Check out the eligibility criteria required for UG, PG, and Post PG candidates.

For the UG course,

  •  Candidates must have passed your intermediate examination with PCB as mandatory subjects.
  • The candidate must secure at least 50% marks in class 12 from a recognized board.

For the PG course,

  • Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.

For the Post PG course,

  • Candidates must have a master’s degree in relevant discipline.

Courses Offered in Forest Manager Studies

There are various courses offered at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels to the candidates under forestry course admissions. Here is the list of UG, PG level of Forestry courses along with the list of colleges offering these courses are mentioned below:

Course Level

Courses Offered

Colleges/Universities

UG Level

  • B.Sc in Forestry
  • B.Sc in Wildlife
  • B.Sc in Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources
  • B.Sc – Hons in Forestry

 

  • Dr BR Ambedkar University, Uttar Pradesh
  • GB. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
  • Arid Forest Research institute, Jodhpur
  • Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
  • Forest Research Institute University, Dehra Dun
  • Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh
  • Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
  • Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur
  • Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore

PG Level

  • M.Sc in Forestry
  • M.Sc in Wildlife
  • M.Sc – Wood Science & Tech.
  • M.Sc in Agroforestry
  • M.Sc in Forest Products
  • M.Sc in Tree Improvements
  • Master in Wildlife Sciences
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Forest Management

Post PG Level

  • M.Phil/Ph.D. degree in Forestry

Certificate/Diplomas

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

Forest Manager Admission Process

Candidates can adhere to the following mentioned steps below for the forestry admission process:

  • Following the 12th grade, one can apply for the bachelor's degree in forestry after passing the 10+2 examination with the PCB/PCM/PCMB group.
  • Candidates who have passed the All-India Entrance Exam of ICAR (ICAR AIEEA 2022) are eligible for admission to agricultural universities offering forestry courses.
  • Also, candidates are eligible to participate in the state-level exams in Jharkhand (JCECE 2022).

In addition, admission is done through various entrance exams conducted by various universities and institutions.

Types of Job Roles Forest Manager

This field offers a wide range of career opportunities. Both the public and private sectors offer career opportunities in this field. Jobs in the public sector include zoological parks, wildlife reserves, corporate plantations for timbering, wildlife research institutes, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and its affiliates, wildlife departments, forest departments, national parks and sanctuaries, and forest nurseries. Through the Union Public Service Commission, those with bachelor's degrees in forestry can apply for positions with the Central government.

The top job profiles in forestry are listed below:

Job Profiles

Description

Forester

The job role of a forester is to have ecological restoration by maintaining and taking care of trees, forests, and planting.

Forest Range Officer

Forest range officers manage forests, the environment, and wildlife in a state or union territory of India

Lecturers

It is the lecturer's responsibility to develop course material and curriculums, inspire meaningful discussions, attend conferences, consult with other academics and professionals, supervise graduate students and be an active member of the university.

Forestry Technicians

Forest technicians work in support of forestry research and forest management, harvesting, resource conservation, as well as environmental protection.

Forest Professionals

They are responsible for taking care of trees, forests, and plants.

Natural Resource Technician

Forestry technicians manage forests, protect wildlife, and monitor soil, air, and water quality.

Operations Forester

Develop short- and long-term plans for managing forest lands and forest resources.

Senior Forestry Consultant

Forest consultants assist commercial, governmental, recreational, and conservation clients in determining the best way to protect wildlife habitat, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability.

Foresters Silviculturist

Among their responsibilities is raising seedlings in a nursery and planting trees. Additionally, they coordinate and assist with tree pruning, thinning, and felling.

Field Investigator

He/she is responsible for conducting the field survey according to the instructions of senior officials of the organization or institution he works for, for collecting the necessary data, presenting the data in a given format, and preparing the report based on the data gathered.

Sales/Business Development Officer

Its responsibilities include identifying underperforming products and services, developing a deep understanding of company offerings, pricing, and policies, and improving existing sales proposals.

Auditor – Forestry

Responsible for planning and executing professional Forestry Management System (PEFC and FSC) audits in accordance with procedures to enable the delivery of assessment and certification services that meet customer needs.

Employment Sector/Industry for Forest Manager

Some working areas where Forest Managers can find jobs after pursuing courses in the field of Forestry are:

  • Educational Institutions
  • Seed and Nursery Companies
  • Forest Services
  • Food Companies
  • Land Management Agencies
  • Plant Health Inspection Services
  • Plant Resources Laboratories
  • Biotechnology Firms
  • Biological Supply Houses
  • Chemical Industry

Planning to choose Forest Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Forest Manager

The expected salary for forestry graduates is highly variable. There is a wide range of entry-level jobs in various employment sectors.

Job Profile

Minimum Average Salary

Maximum Average Salary

Forest Manager

INR 6 LPA

INR 10 LPA

Books & Study Material to Become Forest Manager

  • Introduction to Forestry Science – De Vere Burton
  • Forestry: Principles and Applications – Antony Joseph Raj, S.B. Lai
  • Forestry: A Subjective Guide for IFS Aspirants – K.T. Parthiban, S.
  • Umesh Kanna, S.Vennila, I.Sekar
  • Indian Forestry: A Breakthrough Approach to Forest Service – K. Manikandan, S. Prabhu
  • Continuous Cover Forestry – Timo Pukkala, Klaus Von Gadow
  • Planning For Forest Resources and Bio-Diversity Management by Kailash Chandra Bebarta
  • Forest Resources & Sustainable Development by Kailash Chandra Bebarta
  • Handbook of Forest Ecology and Biology by   Sharad Singh Negi
  • Dictionary of Forestry & Wildlife Science by Kailash Chandra Bebarta
  • Farm Forestry in India – An Economics and Environmental Analysis by Dr. S.Puttaswamaiah

Pros of becoming a Forest Manager

  • Foresters can work in nature.
  • You can go back to the roots.
  • Foresters don't have to work in an office job.
  • Decent job security.
  • Foresters can make decent money.

Cons of becoming a Forest Manager

  • There is a possibility of accidents.
  • You might get bored after a while.
  • The salary package is average.
  • You may get to work under extreme weather conditions.
  • You need a degree working as a forestry.

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

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