DEPARTMENT AT A GLANCE
Forestry as a teaching subject was introduced in the University at its inception (1975-76) itself. This was done because the socio-economic and cultural relationships are interweaven with forest in these hills. Here forest and people have co-existed symbiotically through the ages. The very life support system of the hill people depends upon the forests, therefore, teaching and research in forestry was made an integral part of the University. The progress of the department has been haphazard for initial few years and since 1987 this department has progressed a lot.
Among the traditional Universities, the department of Forestry of HNB Garhwal University is exception which offers four years Undergraduate Forestry Degree course with eight semesters and two year Postgraduate Forestry Degree course with four semesters since 2003-2004. The department also offers research degree programme in Forestry (D.Phil).
Over the years, the department has developed a strong research base in thrust areas viz., Natural Resource Management, Tree Eco-Physiology, Hill Agro Forestry, Forest Ecology and biodiversity, Conservation Ecology, Regeneration Ecology and Tree Seed Technology. Under these thrust areas both basic as well as applied researches, relevant to the region, are being addressed.
The Department of Forestry is receiving continuous financial support from Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun since 1995. The important academic contribution of the department has been recognized by DST-FIST in 2007, which has further strengthened the department.
At present the Department of Forestry has 01 Professor, 01 Associate Professor, 05 Assistant Professors, 01 Lab. Assistant, 01 Lab. bearer, 01 Office Assistant, 01 Driver and 04 nursery staff. One post of Associate Professor and one Assistant Professor are vacant and against these two contractual persons are working.
As far as the infrastructure facilities are concerned, the department has its own building with 2376.33 m2 area within this area approx. 1300.00 m2 area have laboratories. Besides this the department has its own boy’s hostel with 56 students capacity. To support the teaching and research, the department have library and Internet facilities with access to latest editions of national & international forestry journal & books.
Till date, over 20 scholars have been awarded D.Phil degree in Forestry by the University. Three scholars were selected as Scientist by Agriculture Research Scientist Board (ICAR) and more than 08 scholars have qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The students of the department have found placements in many prestigious Govt. Institutes, Universities and Non Governmental organizations.
The faculty members of the department have the distinction of having completed 18 major research projects sponsored by MNES, New Delhi; MoEF, New Delhi; DST, New Delhi; CSIR, New Delhi; ICAR, New Delhi; MRD, New Delhi; MoA, New Delhi; ICFRE, Dehradun and GBPHIED, Almora. The department has also completed 09 Consultancy projects on Tree regeneration survey in three protected areas of U.P. and Environment Impact Assessement & Environment Management Plan for Hydropower projects sponsored by U.P. Forest Department, NHPC, Faridabad, NTPC, Noida, SJVNL, Shimla and UJVNL Dehradun, respectively.
Faculty members regularly participate in International and National seminars/symposia/ conferences and have published more than 200 Research papers/articles in the scientific Journals of National & International repute.
One faculty member has been awarded by Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education for outstanding contribution to research in the field of Forest (Silviculture) Research for the year 1998-99.
Beside teaching, research and consultancy works, the department of Forestry has also been engaged in Forestry field extension programs. The department has developed 01 ha nursery in University campus Charuas, plantation models in about 200 ha of community/ private land and conducted 24 Environmental awareness camps in remote areas of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pauri & Tehri Districts in Uttarakhand.
Department has also initiated International collaboration for Natural Resource studies and Teaching & Research exchange programme with ICRAF, South Asia, New Delhi. Memorandum of understanding for exchange of faculty and students and for undertaking joint research projects are under consideration with some national and international institutes/ universities.
