FORESTRY Optional - Strategy

Many aspirants have less information about the forestry optional. So, many aspirants miss the opportunity by selecting optional like geology instead. FAQ is "Can i score better if i am an engineer or if i am from non-forestry background?". My answer is "Definitely YES".  I scored 221/400 being a mechanical engineer. I am just writing down what i did and what an aspirant should do for good marks in forestry optional.

Forestry is a good optional for IFS exam for following reasons:-

1. Short Syllabus . So short that one can cover the syllabus(in my opinion and personal experience) in approximately 15 days (10 hrs a day).
2. Adequate good Material is available.
3. More than 50%(Rough estimate) recommended candidates in the past have chosen this optional
4. Interesting and easy to understand.
5. Most important, "it's scoring" and loyal. it will never fail you if you are sincere enough to cover the syllabus and revise it.

There are very very few aspirants from forestry background. On the other hand Non- forestry people are somewhat skeptical about this optional as it is totally new subject for them.Another reason is phobia of scientific names of species. But one should not be fearful. There is logic and reason behind name of every species. And with multiple revisions one can easily retain names of some 20 odd species which can be used throughout both papers.

How to prepare:
1. Go through whole syllabus first.
2. Get last 10- 15 years' question papers and start analyzing those papers.
3. Start reading from first chapter( this is advised because upcoming chapters are linked to basic understanding) and simultaneously see questions of that particular chapter.
4. after first reading is over with simultaneous question paper analysis you should be able to prioritize chapters as per their importance. Mark those and revise in order of importance.

How to score more:
1. Remember scientific names of species and use them throughout the papers.
2. Prepare short, succinct and precise case studies beforehand  .
3. Prepare innovative maps, diagrams for topics of syllabus wherever possible.
4. Enlist keywords, jargon , examples and use them wisely throughout the papers.



What to read:
Principles and practice of silviculture by LS Khanna is very good book to read for better knowledge of forestry. Even IFS probationers are advised to go through it during training . So i would suggest that aspirants should read this book also instead of reading only Manikandan and prabhu for most of the syllabus.

In the following section you will find that i have mentioned the book by manikandan and prabhu for most of the syllabus. It doesn't mean that there are no good books available for forestry. The thing is aspirants should save time and not waste it in browsing and searching for books . One can score very good marks by reading Manikandan And LS Khanna book. So whenever in doubt First read manikandan and if you don't get clarity then only go for other books or net.

                                                                        PAPER I

Section A
1. Silviculture-  Principles and practice of silviculture by L.S.Khanna

2. Silviculture systems - Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu
 or Theory and Practice of Indian Silviculture Systems by L S Khanna.

3. Silviculture - Mangrove and Cold desert : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

4. Silviculture of trees : Silviculture of Indian Trees by S.S.Negi

Section B
1. Agroforestry, Social Forestry, Joint Forest Management and Tribology : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

2. Forest Soils, Soil Conservation and Watershed management : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

3. Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

4. Tree Improvement and Seed Technology: Textbook of forest tree breeding by C Surendran , RN Sehgal (Manikandan book covers the syllabus so if time is less one should go with manikandan book with some net surfing for conceptual clarity)
                     
                                                                            PAPER II

Section A
1. Forest Management and Management Systems : Forest Management by Ram Prakash
2. Forest Working Plan : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.
3. Forest Mensuration and Remote Sensing : Forest Mensuration and Biometry by AN Chaturvedi and LS Khanna (No need to read whole book, refer it only when you find manikandan book is confusing you.)
4. Surveying and Forest Engineering : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

Section B
1. Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany :  Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.
2. Forest Resources and Utilization :  Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.
3. Forest Protection & Wildlife Biology :  Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.
4. Forest Economics and Legislation :   Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.

Syllabus:

                                                                        PAPER-I
Section A
1. Silviculture - General :
General Silvicultural Principles : ecological and physiological factors influencing vegetation, natural and artificial regeneration of forests; methods of propagation, grafting techniques; site factors; nursery and planting techniques-nursery beds, polybags and maintenance, water budgeting, grading and hardening of seedlings; special approaches; establishment and tending.

2. Silviculture - systems :
Clear felling, uniform shelter wood selection, coppice and conversion systems. Management of silviculture systems of temperate, subtropical, humid tropical, dry tropical and coastal tropical forests with special reference to plantation silviculture, choice of species, establishment and management of standards, enrichment methods, technical constraints, intensive mechanized methods, aerial seeding thinning.

3. Silviculture - Mangrove and Cold desert :
Mangrove : habitat and characteristics, mangrove, plantation-establishment and rehabilitation of degraded mangrove formations; silvicultural systems for mangrove; protection of habitats against natural disasters. Cold desert - Characteristics, identification and management of species.

4. Silviculture of trees :
Traditional and recent advances in tropical silvicultural research and practices. Silviculture of some of the economically important species in India such as Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Acacia auriculiformis, Albizzia lebbeck, Albizzia procera, Anthocephalus Cadamba, Anogeissus latifolia, Azadirachta indica, Bamboo spp, Butea monosperma, Cassia siamea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Cedrus deodara, Chukrasia tabularis, Dalbergia sisoo, Dipterocarpus spp., Emblica officindils, Eucalyptus spp, Gmelina Arborea, Hardwickia binata, Largerstroemia Lanceolata, Pinus roxburghi, Populus spp, Pterocarpus marsupium, Prosopis juliflora, Santalum album, Semecarpus anacardium,. Shorea robusta, Salmalia malabaricum, Tectona grandis, Terminalis tomemtosa, Tamarindus indica.

Section B
1. Agroforestry, Social Forestry, Joint Forest Management and Tribology :
Agroforestry - scope and necessity; role in the life of people and domestic animals and in integrated land use, planning especially related to (i) soil and water conservation; (ii) water recharge; (iii) nutrient availability to crops; (iv) nature and eco-system preservation including ecological blances through pest-predator relationships and (v) providing opportunities for enhancing bio-diversity, medicinal and other flora and fauna. Agro forestry systems under different agro-ecological zones; selection of species and role of multipurpose trees and NTFPs, techniques, food, fodder and fuel security. Research and Extension needs. Social/Urban Forestry : objectives, scope and necessity; peoples participation. JFM - principles, objectives, methodology, scope, benefits and role of NGOs. Tribology - tribal scene in India; tribes, concept of races, principles of social grouping, stages of tribal economy, education, cultural tradition, customs, ethos and participation in forestry programmes.

2. Forest Soils, Soil Conservation and Watershed management :
Forests Soils, classification, factors affecting soil formation; physical, chemical and biological properties.
Soil conservation - definition, causes for erosion; types - wind and water erosion; conservation and management of eroded soils/areas, wind breaks, shelter belts; sand dunes; reclamation of saline and alkaline soils, water logged and other waste lands. Role of forests in conserving soils. Maintenance and build up of soil organic matter, provision of loppings for green leaf manuring; forest leaf litter and composting; Role of microorganisms in ameliorating soils; N and C cycles, VAM.
Watershed Management - concepts of watershed; role of mini-forests and forest trees in overall resource management, forest hydrology, watershed development in respect of torrent control, river channel stabilization, avalanche and landslide controls, rehabilitation of degraded areas; hilly and mountain areas; watershed management and environmental functions of forests; water-harvesting and conservation; ground water recharge and watershed management; role of integrating forest trees, horticultural crops, field crops, grass and fodders.

3. Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity : Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu.
Environment; components and importance, principles of conservation, impact of deforestation; forest fires and various human activities like mining, construction and developmental projects, population growth on environment.
Pollution - types, global warming, green house effects, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, impact and control measures, environmental monitoring; concept of sustainable development. Role of trees and forests in environmental conservation; control and prevention of air, water and noise pollution. Environmental policy and legislation in India. Environmental Impact Assessment. Economics assessment of watershed development vis-a-vis ecological and environmental protection.

4. Tree Improvement and Seed Technology :
General concept of tree improvement, methods and techniques, variation and its use, provenance, seed source, exotics; quantitative aspects of forest tree improvement, seed production and seed orchards, progeny tests, use of tree improvement in natural forest and stand improvement, genetic testing programming, selection and breeding for resistance to diseases, insects, and adverse environment; the genetic base, forest genetic resources and gene conservation in situ and ex-situ. Cost benefit ratio, economic evaluation.

                                                                              PAPER II

Section A
1. Forest Management and Management Systems :
Objective and principles; techniques; stand structure and dynamics, sustained yield relation; rotation, normal forest, growing stock; regulation of yield; management of forest plantations, commercial forests, forest cover monitoring. Approaches viz., (i) site-specific planning, (ii) strategic planning, (iii) Approval, sanction and expenditure, (iv) Monitoring (v) Reporting and governance. Details of steps involved such as formation of Village Forest Committees, Joint Forest Participatory Management.

2. Forest Working Plan :
Forest planning, evaluation and monitoring tools and approaches for integrated planning; multipurpose development of forest resources and forest industries development; working plans and working schemes, their role in nature conservation, bio-diversity and other dimensions; preparation and control. Divisional Working Plans, Annual Plan of Operations.

3. Forest Mensuration and Remote Sensing :
Methods of measuring - diameter, girth, height and volume of trees; form-factor; volume estimation of stand, current anuual increment; mean annual increment. Sampling methods and sample plots. Yield calculation; yield and stand tables, forest cover monitoring through remote sensing; Geographic Information Systems for management and modelling.

4. Surveying and Forest Engineering :
Forest surveying - different methods of surveying, maps and map reading. Basic principles of forest engineering. Building materials and construction. Roads and Bridges; General principles, objects, types, simple design and construction of timber bridges.

Section B
1. Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany :
Forest ecology - Biotic and aboitic components, forest eco-systems; forest community concepts; vegetation concepts, ecological succession and climax, primary productivity, nutrient cycling and water relations; physiology in stress environments (drought, water logging salinity and alkalinity). Forest types in India, identification of species, composition and associations; dendrology, taxonomic classification, principles and establishment of herbaria and arboreta. Conservation of forest ecosystems. Clonal parks,
Role of Ethnobotany in Indian Systems of Medicine; Ayurveda and Unani - Introduction, nomenclature, habitat, distribution and botanical features of medicinal and aromatic plants. Factors affecting action and toxicity of drug plants and their chemical constituents.

2. Forest Resources and Utilization :
Environmenatlly sound forest harvesting practices; logging and extraction techniques and principles, transportation system, storage and sale; Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) definition and scope; gums, resins, oleoresins, fibres, oil seeds nuts, rubber, canes, bamboos, medicinal plants, charcoal, lac and shellac, Katha and Bidi leaves, collection; processing and disposal.
Need and importance of wood seasoning and preservation; general principles of seasoning, air and kiln seasoning, solar dehumidification, steam heated and electrical kilns. Composite wood; adhesives-manufacture, properties, uses, plywood manufacture-properties, uses, fibre boards-manufacture properties, uses; particle boards manufacture; properties uses. Present status of composite wood industry in India in future expansion plans. Pulp-paper and rayon; present position of supply of raw material to industry, wood substitution, utilization of plantation wood; problems and possibilities.
Anatomical structure of wood, defects and abnormalities of wood, timber identification - general principles.

3. Forest Protection & Wildlife Biology :
Injuries to forest - abiotic and biotic, destructive agencies, insect-pests and disease, effects of air pollution on forests and forest die back. Susceptibility of forests to damage, nature of damage, cause, prevention, protective measures and benefits due to chemical and biological control. General forest protection against fire, equipment and methods, controlled use of fire, economic and environmental costs; timber salvage operations after natural disasters. Role of afforestation and forest regeneration in absorption of CO2. Rotational and controlled grazing, different methods of control against grazing and browsing animals; effect of wild animals on forest regeneration, human impacts; encroachement, poaching, grazing, live fencing, theft, shifting cultiation and control.

4. Forest Economics and Legislation :
Forest economics “fundamental principles, cost-benefit analyses; estimation of demand and supply; analysis of trends in the national and international market and changes in production and consumption patterns; assessment and projection of market structures; role of private sector and co-operatives; role of corporate financing. Socio-economic analyses of forest productivity and attitudes; valuation of forest goods and service.

Legislation :“History of forest development; Indian Forest Policy of 1894, 1952 and 1990. National Forest Policy, 1988 of People’s involvement, Joint Forest Management, Involvement of women; Forestry Policies and issues related to land use, timber and non-timber products, sustainable forest management; industrialisation policies; institutional and structural changes. Decentralization and Forestry Public Administration. Forest laws, necessity; general principles, Indian Forest Act 1927; Forest Conservation Act, 1980; Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and their amendments; Application of Indian Penal Code to Forestry. Scope and objectives of Forest Inventory.



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