The UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination includes a detailed syllabus for each subject, and the Forestry syllabus is one of them. Here’s the detailed syllabus for Forestry for the UPSC IFS exam:
Paper-I
1. Silviculture:
- General Silviculture: 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.
- Silviculture of Trees: Study of the silviculture of the following tropical and subtropical species: Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Azadirachta indica, Albizzia spp., Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Populus spp., Eucalyptus spp., etc.
- Silvicultural Systems: Clear felling, uniform, shelterwood, selection, coppice, and conversion systems.
- Silviculture of Bamboo, Canes, and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): Bamboo and cane species of India; distribution, extraction, methods of treatment; NTFPs.
2. Agroforestry, Social Forestry, Joint Forest Management, and Tribology:
- Agroforestry: Scope and necessity; integrated land use; planning for firewood, fodder, and small timber production on non-forest lands; common wasteland development.
- Social Forestry: Objectives, scope, and necessity; planning and management practices; rural development projects.
- Joint Forest Management: Principles, objectives, methodology, benefits, and role of NGOs.
- Tribology: Tribes in India and their economy; rights of tribals; customary rights in forest management; forest policies and tribal development.
3. Forest Soils, Soil Conservation, and Watershed Management:
- Forest Soils: Classification, soil properties, soil fertility, and conservation.
- Soil Conservation: Erosion types; methods of erosion control; afforestation of ravine and saline-alkali soils.
- Watershed Management: Concepts of watershed; principles, objectives, and planning; treatment of waterlogged and degraded land.
4. Forest Management and Management Systems:
- Forest Management: Scope, objectives, principles; sustained yield regulation.
- Management Systems: Time series analysis, inventory techniques; growth and yield prediction models.
5. Forest Working Plan:
- Working Plan: Objectives and scope; methodology; current annual increment, rotation, and sustainable yield.
- Forest Mensuration: Definition, objectives, and principles; measurement of diameter, girth, height, volume, form factor; biomass and carbon estimation.
6. Forest Ecology, Ethnobotany, and Climate Change:
- Forest Ecology: Forest ecosystem; forest types and their distribution; ecological succession and climax; forest productivity and nutrient cycling.
- Ethnobotany: Definition, objectives, and methods; traditional knowledge systems.
- Climate Change: Causes, impacts on forest ecosystems and biodiversity, mitigation strategies; role of forests in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Paper-II
1. Forest Management and Forest Economics:
- Forest Management: Principles, techniques, objectives; forest types in India; sustained yield.
- Forest Economics: Fundamental principles; cost-benefit analysis; valuation of forest goods and services; forest revenue and expenditure; trade and marketing.
2. Forest Mensuration and Remote Sensing:
- Forest Mensuration: Measurement of tree height, diameter, volume, and increment; stand volume estimation.
- Remote Sensing: Basic principles, techniques, and applications in forestry.
3. Forest Utilization:
- Forest Products: Timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), processing, preservation, and utilization.
- Wood: Anatomical structure, physical and chemical properties, seasoning, preservation, and utilization.
4. Forest Protection and Wildlife Biology:
- Forest Protection: Pests, diseases, fire, and invasive species; control measures.
- Wildlife Biology: Principles of wildlife management; wildlife habitat; endangered species and their conservation.
5. Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement:
- Forest Genetics: Genetic principles, breeding techniques; seed technology and biotechnology.
- Tree Improvement: Objectives and methods; vegetative propagation; genetic engineering.
This syllabus covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding and managing forests effectively. Preparing well in these areas will be crucial for success in the UPSC IFS examination.
