The Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, made its beginning from the Forest School established in 1878. Initially named as Imperial Forest Research Institute, the name FRI came into being in 1906. FRI’s history is synonymous with the evolution and development of scientific forestry not only in India but also in the entire sub-continent.

An ideal seat of learning in forestry, with about a century dedicated to forestry research, FRI has a number of centres located at different places all over the country. The Institute provides training to Forest Officers and Forest Rangers through the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy.

Research

The sylvan surroundings and serene environment of the Institute provide the best place to students for carrying out research work. The Institute has thirteen research divisions and disciplines which include Forest Ecology and Environment, Forest Pathology, Forest Products, Genetics and Tree Propagation and Non-wood Forest Products, to mention a few.

The FRI contributes to the research perspectives by focusing on different aspects of forestry. The manifold research programmes relate to production of quality seeds and planting material, social forestry, medicinal and aromatic plants and protection of forests from diseases and insects. The main building of the institute is an impressive edifice of the Greco-Roman and oriental architecture.

The institution has a well developed infrastructure of laboratories, computers and information centre, a library, herbarium, arboreta, nurseries and experimental field areas for conducting research and training programmes. It has five museums namely Social Forestry Museum, Pathology Museum, Silviculture Museum, Timber Museum, N.W.F.P. Museum and Entomology Museum.

Courses

At present the FRI offers three M.Sc courses each of two years duration. The M.Sc.Forestry (Economics and Management) lays emphasis on silviculture, forest ecology and environmental conservation, diseases and pest and forest resource utilization. The minimum academic requirement for this course is B.Sc. with at least one of the subjects from Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology or B.Sc. in Agriculture or Forestry. M.Sc. in Wood Science & Technology covers theoretical and practical aspects of wood utilisation for industries and wood science and technology. The course includes a 4-month dissertation on any problem of industrial nature. The academic requirement for this course is B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or B.Sc. in Forestry. M.Sc. in Environment Management equips students with the skills to understand and utilize practical aspects of economic and ecological disciplines as it applies to environmental management. The course accepts students having B.Sc. degree with at least one of the subjects from Botany, Zoology, Environment or a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or Agriculture or B.E. in Environment Science.

The Institute also offers three Post-Graduate Diploma Courses of one year each in Plantation Technology, Pulp & Paper Technology and Bio-diversity Conservation. The admission in these courses is made through all-India competitive tests. It also runs 15 short-term training courses in forestry-related subjects.