Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department
Kerala Forest Department is a law enforcement agency for the state of Kerala, India. 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]
Kerala Forest Department | |
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Agency overview | |
Formed | 1888 |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | India |
Legal jurisdiction | Kerala, India |
Operational structure | |
Headquarters | Vazhuthacaud, Kerala, India |
Elected officer responsible |
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Agency executive |
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Website | |
forest |
The headquarters of department is in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It also hosts the Forest Central Library, which is open for public access.
Organisational Structure
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
- Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
- Van Vigyan Kendra - Forest Science Centers
References
- "Public Relations Department". prd.kerala.gov.in.