Kerala Forest Department
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Seal of Kerala Forest Department
Agency overview
Formed1888 (1888)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionIndia
Legal jurisdictionKerala, India
Operational structure
HeadquartersVazhuthacaud, Kerala, India
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Website
forest.kerala.gov.in

Kerala Forests Department is a department of the Indian state of Kerala responsible for forestry and wildlife management. The Kerala Forests Department, headquartered in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, serving as the Head of Forest Forces. Over 75% of the land area of Kerala was covered by forests until the 18th century. The department is involved with the protection and conservation of flora and fauna in their natural habitats. It conserves 10,336 km2 (3,991 sq mi) of forests forming 29.101% of the total geographic area of the state.[1]

The headquarters also houses the Forest Central Library which is open for public access.

Organisational Structure

The Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department, under the leadership of Minister A. K. Saseendran for Forests and Wildlife, is governed by the Principal Secretary to Government (Forests and Wildlife).

Forest headquarters

The Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department is headed by a Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, who is assisted by several officers, including Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Conservator of Forests (CF), and Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF). The department has a staff strength of over 11,000 employees, including forest officers, rangers, guards, and other support staff. The department is organized into five circles, each headed by a Chief Conservator of Forests. The circles are further divided into divisions and ranges, each headed by a Divisional Forest Officer and Range Officer, respectively.

Hierarchy

  • Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF)
  • Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)
  • Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF)
  • Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF)
  • Conservator of Forests (CF)
  • Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)
  • Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF)
  • Range Forest Officer (RFO)
  • Deputy Range Forest Officer
  • Section Forest Officer (SFO)
  • Beat Forest Officer (BFO)
  • Reserve Watcher/Forest Guard

Responsibilities

  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Forest protection
  • Wildlife management and research
  • Forest development
  • Social forestry
  • Forest vigilance and evaluation
  • Eco-development and tribal welfare
  • Planning and research
  • Rehabilitation and special afforestation
  • Human resource development

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Public Relations Department". prd.kerala.gov.in.
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