VIVID

THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT The Kerala Forest Department is headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force).  In the Headquarters, he is assisted by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry). ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP OF KERALA FOREST DEPARTMENT Circles Circles Divisions Ranges Sections Beats Territorial 5 25 74 177 303 Wildlife 3 11 19 48 49 Vigilance 2 8 19 25 90 Social Forestry 3 14 37 223 – Timber Sales – 6 – – – TOTAL 13 65 149 473 442 Staff Strength Sl. No. Name of post Sanctioned Strength In Position         1 Principal Chief Conservator of Forests 5 5         2 Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests 6 6         3 Chief Conservator of Forests 12 11         4 Conservator of Forests 13 12         5 Dy. Conservator of Forest (IFS Cadre) 35 30         6 Forest Tribunal 1 1         7 Joint Secretary ( Law ) 1 1         8 Senior Finance Officer 1 1         9 Senior Administrative Officer 1 1       10 Deputy Director (Statistics) 1 1       11 Deputy Director ( Wildlife Education) 3 3       12 Asst. Conservator of Forests/ Deputy Conservator of Forests (NC) 101 101       13 Senior Administrative Assistant 9 9       14 Administrative Assistant 12 12       15 Personal Assistant 3 3       16 Senior Superintendent 36 36       17 Range Forest Officer 205 187       18 Deputy Range Forest Officer 158 147       19 Public Relation Officer 1 1       20 Assistant Forest Publicity Officer 3 2       21 Junior Superintendent 71 71       22 Head Accountant 74 74       23 Research Assistant 3 4       24 Senior Wildlife Assistant 3 3       25 Wildlife Assistant 7 5       26 Senior Clerk 443 443       27 Clerk 446 401       28 Statistical Assistant Grade. II & I 34 33       29 Fair copy Superintendent 8 7       30 Selection Grade Typist 33 33       31 Senior Grade  Typist 33 33       32 Typist Clerk 1 1       33 UD Typist 33 33       34 LD Typist 34 33       35 Confidential Assistant 39 34       36 Legal Assistant 1 1       37 Section Officer (Law) 1 1       38 Forest Veterinary Officer 1 1       39 Veterinary Doctor 1 1       40 Asst. Forest Veterinary Officer (on deputation) 12 11       41 Documentation Officer 1 0       42 Asst. Director (Survey) 1 1       43 Survey Superintendent 2 2       44 Surveyor Grade I & II 66 34       45 Bench Clerk(on deputation) 1 1       46 Head Surveyor 2 2       47 Section Forest Officer 952 858       48 Beat Forest Officer    2618   2371       49 Sheristadar cum Secretary 1 1       50 Head Draftsman 2 2       51 Draftsman 45 20       52 Circle Inspector of Police 2 1       53 SI of Police 4 1       54 Senior Civil Police Officer 22 10       55 Civil Police Officer 110 32       56 Librarian 1 1       57 Project Operator 1 0       58 Pharmacist 2 1       59 Dispensary Attender 1 0       60 Nursing Assistant 1 0       61 Binder 2 1       62 PT Instructor 6 1       63 Record cum Store Keeper 3 0       64 Museum Assistant 1 0       65 Office Attendant 420 401       66 Peon cum Sweeper 1 1       67 Daffedar 1 1       68 Attender 18 18       69 Dark Room Attender 1 0       70 Driver 247 221       71 Photographer cum Artist 1 0       72 Gardner 4 1       73 Traker cum Gardner 3 0       74 Gardner cum Marker 1 1       75 Cleaner 2 0       76 Watcher  & Forest Watcher 55 263       77 Muduvan Watcher 8 8       78 Night Watcher 25 20       79 RF Watcher 157 62      80 Depot Watcher 86 44       81 Tribal Watcher 700 685       82 Watcher cum Cook 6 1       83 Tapal Watcher 3 0       84 Rest House Watcher 1 0       85 Scavenger/Sanitary Worker 1 1       86 Cook/Asst. Cook 1 0       87 Boat Driver 12 6       88 Boat Zrang 1 0       89 Boat Watcher 6 0       90 Boat Cleaner/Cleaner 3 0       91 Lascar 4 1       92 Survey Lascar 11 2       93 Mahouts & Kavadi 26 20       94 Timber Supervisor 1 0       95 Pump Operator 1 1       96 Lab Assistant 1 0       97 Radio Mechanic 1 0       98 Helper 1 0       99 Bus Cleaner 1 1       100 Chowkeedar 1 0      101 Part Time Contingent Employees 293 293      102 Chief Forest Veterinary Officer (on deputation) 1 1      103 Police Asst. Sub Inspector Nil 2 Total 7836 7174 Details as on 31.03.2018 Source: Kerala Forest Statistics Report 2018

Kerala, at the southern tip of India, boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with its verdant forests. Foreigners, drawn by the allure of spices like pepper, cardamom, and ginger, established trade as early as 3000 BC. This vibrant exchange continued throughout the centuries, with the 9th and 10th centuries seeing a surge in exports of pepper, teak, and ivory, while Kerala imported materials like fishing nets, pottery, and silk. Notably, until the 18th century, Kerala retained a remarkable three-quarters of its land as thick forests, highlighting the region’s ecological significance. Kerala retained three-quarters of its land as thick forests until the 18th century. Kerala’s forestry history is best explored through the distinct stories of Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar, regions that later merged to create Kerala State. Travancore Cochin Malabar Travancore Travancore’s forestry story unfolded in the early 19th century, when explorers like Mr. Edyve set foot in South India, their keen eyes searching for potential teak timber to bolster the British shipbuilding industry. Lieutenant Ward and Coner followed suit in 1816, surveying Travancore and Cochin, meticulously documenting the region’s diverse forest resources. By 1820, timber extraction, primarily focused on the valuable teak, was underway. A dedicated timber depot was established in Alapuzha, expertly overseen by Captain Robert Gordon. Recognising the need for responsible management, Travancore appointed its first Forest Conservator, Mr. U.V. Munroe, in a crucial move towards safeguarding its precious forests. This progressive step also declared all forests government property, solidifying a sense of ownership and responsibility. Furthermore, 1844 saw the inclusion of rosewood and anjily (ironwood) as “royal trees,” further emphasising the growing awareness of their significance. In the early 19th century, Mr. Edyve embarked on a journey to South India to explore the potential of exploiting teak timber for shipbuilding. Subsequently, in 1816, Lieutenants Ward and Coner conducted a survey of Travancore and Cochin, resulting in the creation of “The Memoir of Travancore Survey,” which provided valuable insights into the region’s forests during that period. In 1820, the government commenced direct timber exploitation, establishing a timber depot at Alapuzha. Captain Robert Gordon, who also held the position of Forest Conservator, was tasked with the collection and provision of timber and cardamom from the forest areas for shipment to Great Britain. The first Forest Conservator, Mr. U.V. Munroe, was appointed, marking a pivotal moment in forest management history. During this era, timber extraction was restricted to teak, with an annual rate of 1500 logs. In 1844, rosewood and anjily were designated as royal trees, and the collection of cardamom and wax was monopolized by the government.Mr. Vest succeeded Mr. Munroe in 1844, and in 1864, Mr. Kunholf assumed the role of Conservator. Until 1853, teak had been supplied free of charge to temples, churches, illams, and palaces. In 1864, Dr. Brandis was appointed as the Inspector General of Forests in India, leading to the inception of the first Forest Act in 1865. This act codified scientific forest management and forest protection across all provinces under British rule in India. To train foresters, a Forest School was established in Dehra Dun in 1878. The first National Forest Policy was implemented in 1894. In 1865, Mr. J.S. Vemela was appointed as the Assistant Conservator of Malayatoor. During this period, Sir T. Madhava Rao, the Diwan of King ‘Ayilyam Thirunal,’ took the initiative to establish a teak plantation in Travancore. Vemburam Island near Malayattoor was chosen as the site for teak seed sowing, although this endeavor proved unsuccessful. Subsequently, Sir Thomas, who was overseeing the teak plantation in Nilambur, was appointed as the Assistant Conservator in Konni. From 1866 to 1867, teak planting was initiated on a small scale in Konni and Malayattoor, continuing as a common practice. The Travancore Forest Act was enacted in 1887, leading to the declaration of Konni as the first Reserve Forest in 1888. More areas were designated as Reserve Forests in 1889.In 1891, Mr. Bourdillon was appointed as the Conservator, and he is recognized as a pioneering figure in the field of forestry in Travancore. He prepared the ‘Report of the Forests of Travancore’ in 1892, marking the beginning of large-scale teak planting. Mr. Bourdillon developed a successful technique of stump planting for teak. His book, “Forest Trees of Travancore,” remains an authoritative work on the tree flora of the state, offering valuable insight into the history and conservation of these trees.In 1893, a comprehensive Forest Act was passed, and rules based on the Act were framed in 1894. The Forest Department underwent a complete reorganization in 1896, aligning its structure with the British Forest Administration. This led to the division of the state into Divisions and Ranges, with further divisional expansions in 1913.In 1906, Sri. V.K. Govinda Menon was tasked with preparing a report on the management of teak plantations, emphasizing the thinning regime for the initial 10 years. The system of sale coupe was introduced in 1907 to prepare more areas for teak planting, and the extent of teak plantation expanded. The taungya system was introduced in Konni in 1910, despite its later failure. Studies conducted at the Forest Research Institute revealed that this system was a significant contributor to soil erosion and forest land degradation. Following Mr. Bourdillon, Mr. Rama Rao took over and published “Flowering Plants of Travancore” in 1911. However, only 1104 out of 3535 plants described in the book could be identified in the Travancore area. In 1923, wastelands were divided and sold in portions of 200 hectares to individuals and companies for coffee and tea cultivation. Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, and ebony were considered government property and could only be cultivated by the government. The need for wildlife conservation was recognized in the 1930s. Mr. S.C.H. Robinson was appointed as the first Game Warden in 1933, responsible for wildlife protection. The Periyar Lake Reserve was declared as Nellikkampetty Game Sanctuary, later becoming the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. As early as 1905, agroforestry practices combining agriculture with forestry were initiated. Forest areas were leased for cardamom cultivation, with modifications to

Vision Well managed forests that anchor ecological and socio-economic security. Mission Conserve forests for provisioning ecosystem goods and services flow to forest dependent community and to the society, without compromising the ecological integrity of the landscape