Introduction:
Encompassing the picturesque eastern Himalayas in Sikkim and North Bengal, the fertile alluvial expanse of indo-gangetic plains in Bihar and West Bengal, deltaic and coastal mangroves of the world famous Sunderbans, a pocket of Terai Sal forest in the north west corner of Bihar and tropical deciduous forests of Kaimur and Chotanagpur plateau overlaying rich and enticing mineral resources within its jurisdiction, the Institute of Forest Productivity is a premier forestry research organization catering to the forestry research needs of eastern India.
Mandate:
1. To undertake and promote forestry research, education and extension, leading to scientific and sustainable management of forest resources.
2. To provide scientific advice to the central and state governments aiding informed decision making in matters of national and regional importance and international commitments and to address forestry research needs.
3. To provide technical assistance and material support to states, forest dependent communities, forest based industries, tree & NTFP growers and other stakeholders in their forestry based programmes for conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.
4. To undertake research in silviculture and forest management for development of natural and artificial regeneration practices, including nursery & plantation techniques.
5. To develop appropriate cultivation, harvest and postharvest techniques for important NTFP and lesser known tree species.
6. To undertake research on forest productivity, ecorestoration and rehabilitation of mined out areas & other stressed/degraded/difficult sites.
7. To undertake research on genetic improvement for productivity enhancement of economically important species.
8. To undertake research and knowledge management on various aspects of forests, viz., forest soils, invasive species, forest fires, insect pests and diseases.
9. To develop, upscale, disseminate and share of appropriate technologies to end-users through innovative extension strategies and capacity building programmes.
10. To undertake all such activities as necessary, incidental and conducive to attainment of the objectives of the Council.
Core Research Areas:
1- Ecological reclamation of mined overburdens and stressed sites.
2- NTFPs and cash crops of forest origin including Lac and Tasar.
3- Development of agro-forestry models suitable for different agro-climatic zones and cropping patterns in eastern India.
4- Community based natural resources management and Documentation of indigenous traditional knowledge
Geographical Jurisdiction:
1- Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
2- More than 42,000 Km2 forest area.
3- Six agro-ecological zones.
4- Six main forest types.
Key Achievements: (Click on link to view detail)
1- Research
The Institute has made significant progress in the sphere of research and extension. Macro as well as micro-propagation procedures have been developed for important forestry, medicinal plant and bamboo species of the region. These include Anthocephalus chinensis, Bambusa nutans, Ceiba pentendra Dendrocalamus asper, Embelia ribes, Pongamia pinnata, Raouwolfia serpentina, Schleichera oleosa. The Institute has successfully introduced poplar cultivation in the state of Bihar by planting out more than 76 lakhs of entire transplants in the farmer’s field. Due to its massive awareness campaign, this widely appreciated project could reach 25 rural administrative blocks, 1,300 villages and 34,000 households in Vaishali and adjoining districts promoting livelihood opportunities.
The UNDP sponsored CBNRM project developed the forestry-based livelihood model in Jharkhand involving community participation in different natural and social scenarios with stupendous effort resulting in marked improvement of socio-economical condition of the rural people and conservation of natural resources. Under the project the institute also carried out the pioneering work on preparation of Peoples’ Biodiversity Registers.
The institute worked out volume tables for Phasi (Anogeissus acuminata) tree, which is religiously associated with peoples of Odisha. The phasi wood is used for making chariot wheels of Lord Jagganatha during famous Rathyatra festival of Puri. As per volume table, a tree of >45 years was only recommended for preparation chariot wheels, conserving the young trees of the species for future use. A scientific study was undertaken for the first time to precisely estimate production potential of Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaf for formulation of socio-economic strategy for those forest fringe dwellers, who obtain their livelihood through the activity.
The Institute also excelled in promotion of scientific cultivation of lac in the region. Extension activities pertaining to lac cultivation on Flamengia spp., an alternative lac host with manageable short height and gestation period, revived the interest of farmers to vigorously undertake lac cultivation in Jharkhand. Consequently, the economic conditions of the farmers improved, for they earned an income of Rs. 1,50,000 - 2,00,00 per year on their fallow land. In fact, Khunti model of lac cultivation received a wide acclaim in the locality.
2- Extension
The institute has organized 34 nos. (thirty four) trainings on various topics for the benefits of farmers, artisans, tribals and SFD officials in the jurisdiction area of the institute i.e. Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand in the last five years (2012 – 13 to 2016 – 17) on the topics (i) Lac cultivation - 20 nos.; (ii) Bamboo propagation cultivation and management for sustainable livelihood – 8 nos.; (iii) NTFP and Medicinal plants for sustainable livelihood – 2 nos. and 4 nos. training each in (a) Eco-restoration of wastes land, (b) Diagnosis of soil for production, (c) GIS Application and its implication in Forestry & (d) Agroforestry and Modern Nursery Techniques.
3- Education
A total no. of 36 scholars were enrolled for the Ph. D. degree out of which 13 nos. has been awarded Ph. D degree. 254 students in 18 batches of various disciplines were benefited by the ‘Dissertation Training Programme’ on various topics during the last five years. The institute has initiated for the publication of the first Hindi journal “Shodh Taru” [ISSN: 2394 - 8744] in forestry discipline and second in all science disciplines in the country. The Institute is regularly publishing the "Annual Lac Bulletin" since its inception.
Ongoing Projects
Completed Projects
For more information visit: http://ifp.icfre.gov.in/
