New and Restructured Post-Graduate Curricula and Syllabi: Forestry 2009

Abstract

The Broad Subject Matter Area (BSMA) Committee on Forestry (ICAR) took a gigantic task of preparing PG course curricula and syllabi as there was no uniform course programme in the Agricultural Universities for M. Sc. Forestry. The help was also taken from ICFRE, Dehradun in developing the curricula. The Master level syllabi were prepared in light of B. Sc. Hons (Forestry) syllabus recommended by IV Dean Committee in 2006, which finds new subjects at UG level. A deficiency compulsory course package was also developed by the committee for the students from Agricultural and Horticulture streams seeking to peruse their studies in Forestry at Master level. This package of 18 credits was carefully identified to bring at par the students of B. Sc. Ag. / Horti. to B. Sc. Forestry when they take up M. Sc. Forestry programme, so that professional approach and quality of the degree programme is maintained and at the same time providing opportunities to the Universities to sustain their PG programmes where B. Sc. Forestry degrees are not awarded at present. These courses in the package will include: Principle and Practices of Silviculture, Forest Mensuration, Principles of Tree Improvement, Wild Life Management, Wood Products and Utilization and Forest Management, Policy & Legislation. In order to provide uniformity in curricula throughout the country, to maintain professionalism in the degree and enhance the opportunities for employability, the degree nomenclature would be M. Sc. Forestry. The students will be given a set of ten courses which will be compulsory for undertaking the PG programme at Master level. The courses are called Core courses of Forestry. These courses will be different from the courses of his specialization and will represent the major courses as in agricultural sciences. These courses have been developed after identifying the needs of present Forestry scenario and demand of professionals, having the understanding of special fields and subjects in forestry sector, including govt., corporate and private sectors. The package under core courses has been prepared keeping in view the production, management, conservation of forests and plantations. The improvement in the present wood stock, conservation of our biodiversity, wood processing, participation of people in forestry has been incorporated. At the same time every student of forestry will also be taught about Forest Policy and Laws before they study the specialization.