How to Become a Forester

- Salary, Qualification, Skills, Role and Responsibilities

#Arboriculturis
#Woodsman

Who is a Forester?

The altruism of foresters can serve as a motto for humanity in general: "We reap what we have not sown. We sow what we do not reap ~ Léo Errera

A forester is an individual who takes care of trees, manages forests, and helps in planting. The job of a forester is important for nature and to create a balance between deforestation and afforestation. He or she focuses on ecological restoration for the long-term sustainable development of forest ecosystems. An individual who loves trees, biodiversity, greenery, and planting must opt for a career as a forester.

As the name suggests, a forester must be a professional wandering in forests, but there is something more about this wandering. A forester must implement the science of managing forests in his or her everyday work life. He or she is involved in various activities such as ecological restoration, timber harvesting, and the management of protected areas.

Quick Facts for Forester

Industry
Agriculture
Suitable for
Male

A career as a forester is more suitable for the male gender. There are not any gender biases. Women having such technical skills and physical fitness to work in the woodlands of the forest are also preferred.
Any special needs
No

A career as a forester is not suitable for candidates with special needs. The career requires travelling in the woodlands which are natural habitats of wild creatures such as insects and animals.

Table of Contents for Forester

What is the role of Forester?

Types of a Forester

What is the workplace/work environment of Forester like?

How to become a Forester?

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Forester?

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Forester?

What is the job outlook for Forester?

Frequently Asked Questions for Forester

What is the role of Forester?

A forester ensures the sustainability of the forest’s land by keeping an eye on illegal activities such as poaching, deforestation, and other natural calamities. A forester engages in harvesting trees and creating more forest areas, conserving wildlife by saving their natural habitats. He or she plans to ensure the protection of natural resources and be responsible for forestry law enforcement.

A forester is responsible for overseeing the human activities in the forest and preventing any harm to wildlife.
He or she is responsible for conducting technical surveys in forests that involve the marking of timber, volume estimation, analysing the condition of forest lands, and other related activities.
A forester is also responsible for preparing contracts for the harvesting of forest products or other contracts.
He or she is also involved in the interpretation of aerial photographs of the plots of forests.
A forester is responsible for maintaining the burning records and evaluating them.
He or she is required to always be ready for such emergencies in the form of natural calamities such as fire or excess rain.

Types of a Forester

One with a forestry degree can easily find a job. There are various job roles available in forestry careers such as environmentalist, botanist, ecologist, wildlife enforcement officer, forester consultant, silviculturist, logger and many other forestry careers. Some of the types of forester or career options related to them with job descriptions are mentioned below.

Environmentalist: Environmentalists are professionally involved in the protection of the environment from degradation. They work to prevent the loss of animals and birds from the earth. They are responsible for protecting the elements of the environment such as air, water, trees, and other natural resources from pollution, deforestation, or other harmful causes.

Botanist: Botanists are highly educated and skilled scientists who study plant life and organisms. The field of botany is very broad, it encompasses the study of more than three hundred thousand species of plants ranging from ground-hugging mosses to giant redwood trees.

Ecologist: Ecologists are scientists who study how living beings like animals and plants interact with their environment. Individuals who want to be an ecologist, first, they need to learn about ecology as a subject.

Wildlife Enforcement Officer: Wildlife Enforcement Officers are professionally responsible for enforcing laws on matters of wildlife and natural resources. They work in a less populated area, unlike other law enforcement officers who work in populated areas. They are required to be equipped with both skills and equipment.

Forester Consultant: Forester consultants guide people on how to use the tree resources, and help in the selection, maintenance and marketing of trees and Timber. They also help in establishing eco-friendly protocols with help from the government. They also possess a good understanding of the natural ecosystem, silviculture practices, and biodiversity.

Silviculturist: Silviculturists are responsible for the overall care and development of forests. They perform forest management practices such as proper utilisation of forest products, tree planting, and maintaining the health of the forest.

Logger: Loggers are forestry professionals who cut down trees into wood. They possess efficient logging knowledge and physical strength to cut down trees into logs.

Also Read: Career as a Conservationist

What is the workplace/work environment of Forester like?

An individual in a career as a forester has to work in challenging conditions, sometimes he or she may have to deal with terrific weather conditions. A forester's role demands to be physically strong enough to spend days in the woodland and work hard. A Woodland is not an easily accessible place; it requires several hours to reach work sites.

Does Forester require travelling?

Likely

Foresters require travelling to outdoor places. Foresters may own an office but cannot limit their work there. They are required to spend most of their time in the woodlands.

Time Pressure

Likely

Although most foresters work in offices, some collect and analyse samples in laboratories or work in the field. Foresters who work in fields or outdoors are more likely to face time pressure because of factors such as travelling discrepancies, or weather conditions.

How to become a Forester?

Steps to become a Forester

If anyone loves to do surveys and care for trees, vegetation, and wildlife, then a career as a forester is the best option for them. If someone wants to share knowledge and protect nature and is looking for how to become a forester in India, then below are the steps for how to become a forester in India.

Identify Skills
Enrol in formal Training/Course
Pursue Specialised Certification
Explore Internship Opportunities
Apply and Qualify IFS Examination
Apply for Government Positions
Prepare for Interviews and Selection Processes
Pass Medical and Physical Fitness Tests
Join Professional Organisations

01 Step

Identify Skills

To become a forester in India one should possess both soft skills and hard skills. Some of the soft skills that are required to opt for a career as a Forester are

Critical Thinking
Decision-Making
Observation Skills
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Professionalism
Communication Skills
Time Management

Some of the hard skills are given below.

Natural Resources
Management Practices
Vegetation Management
Management Plans
Inspection Results
Harvest
Data Collection
Contract Compliance
Customer Service

02 Step

Enrol in formal Training/Course

An individual looking for how to become a forester in India must opt for a formal training program in any of the fields in his or her 10+2 level of education from a recognised board in India. He or she can pursue a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree.

After that, he or she opts for an entry-level job immediately after his or her bachelor’s degree and then goes for a master’s degree for higher positions or to gain more knowledge. Below we have provided the Forester qualifications including UG and PG entrance examinations, and bachelor's and master's degree programmes.

Entrance Examinations

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

B.Sc.in Forestry
B.Sc in Environmental Science
B.Sc.in Agriculture

Master’s Degree Programmes

M.Sc. in Agriculture
M.Sc in Environmental Science
M.Sc in Forestry

03 Step

Pursue Specialised Certification

Here are some of the specialised certifications to increase subject knowledge and skills that an individual can pursue during his or her graduation. It is not mandatory and is completely optional; it is his or her choice whether to opt or not. Below are some of the specialised certifications.

04 Step

Explore Internship Opportunities

An individual can opt for an internship even upon his or her graduation. He or she is required to have practical experience to become a forester. He or she can gain experience through internships, volunteer work, or by joining organisations related to forestry and environmental conservation.

05 Step

Apply and Qualify IFS Examination

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the civil services examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment officers at the all-India level by the Government of India for the scientific management of its forests.

If an individual is interested in becoming a government forester officer, then he or she is required to appear for the IFS examination. Apply for the IFS examination on the official website and appear for the examination.

06 Step

Apply for Government Positions

An individual who has passed the examination can apply for government forestry positions and look for job openings advertised by the respective state or central government forest departments.

07 Step

Prepare for Interviews and Selection Processes

An individual who has applied for the Forester job positions should, if he or she is shortlisted for a job interview or selection process, be well-prepared with knowledge of forestry, environmental laws, and related topics. Once he or she has passed the interview and selection process, he or she will be qualified for the next and final round, which is mentioned in the next step.

08 Step

Pass Medical and Physical Fitness Tests

An individual has been shortlisted and qualified for the interview process. He or she will have to take medical and physical fitness tests. The forestry positions require candidates to pass medical and physical fitness tests to maintain good health and fitness.

09 Step

Join Professional Organisations

An individual who has passed the medical and physical fitness tests now qualifies to become a forester. He or she can also consider joining professional organisations related to forestry and conservation, such as the Indian Society of Tree Scientists (ISTS) or the Indian Forestry Association (IFA).

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Forester?

Communication skills
Problem Solving Ability
Time Management
Science skills

Below are some of the forester skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management, observation, and science that you must have to excel in your career.

Time Management: Time Management is an important aspect as forests are vast and it may require time for the survey. It is important to leave forests before darkness.

Communication Skills: Individuals with a career as foresters might have to interact with the indigenous tribe living in forests. It is necessary to understand their gestures and communicate with them.

Problem-Solving Ability: Problem-solving ability is very important in decision-making. Foresters often face challenges in managing forests, like disease outbreaks, resource depletion, and habitat destruction. A good problem-solving skill allows them to analyse situations and make effective decisions.

Observation Skills: Foresters must have the observing skills to identify forest health, spot wildlife, knowing the impact of human activity around the forests. It helps in assessing forest circumstances well and helps in utilising forest resources efficiently.

Science Skills: Foresters must possess good science skills to understand forest ecosystems, such as utilising botany knowledge to identify tree species and their functioning. It will enhance their understanding of the field and help them grow.

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Forester?

Internship Availability

Yes

Internships are a great way to start a career as a forester. Professional organisations such as research labs, industry, small businesses, NGOs, government agencies, nonprofits, and education prove to be useful for initial training. The work task may vary as per the organisation. The intern may be required to guide visitors and track illegal trails, such as hunting in a bioreserve.

What is the job outlook for Forester?

Job growth is ensured in the area of local and state government. Private consulting firms also ensure good opportunities. The growing demand for timber projects in private-owned forests has also increased the number of jobs for foresters. Foresters with expertise in the GIS (Geographical Information Systems) technology, remote sensing, and other required software tools find better opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions for Forester

Que. What are the top entrance examinations one can pursue in order to become a forester?

Ans.

The top entrance examinations one can pursue to become a forester are Joint Entrance Examination Main, Birla Institute of Technology & Science Admission Test, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Entrance Examination, Joint Entrance Examination Advanced, SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination Engineering.

Que. Do foresters get weekends?

Ans.

It depends on organisations and workplaces. In some organisations, foresters work regular hours and get weeks off. While in some organisations, foresters do not get weekly offs. Their work responsibility varies from the regular nine-to-five jobs. They get holidays for a few weeks once or twice a year.

Que. What is the average salary of a forester?

Ans.

A forester with skills and experience can expect anything between Rs.3,00,000 to Rs.5,00,000 per annum.

Que. How much a bachelor of science in forestry costs?

Ans.

The average fee of a B.Sc. (bachelor of science) in forestry may cost up to Rs. 5000 to Rs. 3,00,000 for four years.

Que. What does a forester do?

Ans.

A forester works to preserve wildlife by preserving their natural habitats by cutting down trees and establishing new forest areas. To ensure the preservation of natural resources, a forester prepares the development of an original timber plan.

Que. What does a Forester do in India?

Ans.

The Forester roles and responsibilities are to take care of the trees, manage forests and plant. He or she restores and conserves the woods and creates a balance between deforestation and afforestation.

Questions related to Forester

Showing 1 out of 1 Questions

135 Views

how can find jobs in Forester department

U. Janani 2nd Dec, 2020

Hi Sweta!

Different States have different Criteria for them hiring in their Forest Departments. Incase of Tamil Nadu, they have 1178 posts for Front Line Staffs.

Which includes 300 Foresters, 726 Forest Gaurds and 152 Forest Gaurd with Driving Licence. The Exam will be Online Mode and later, the selected Candidates are called for Certificate Verification, Physical Standards Verification, Endurance Test and Personality Test!

So, every State has its own way of recruiting. Kindly view in their respective Offical Website for further more details!

Hope this is helpful!

All the best!

View All Questions

The question have been saved in answer later, you can access it from your profile anytime. Access now

Explore Related Careers

Botanist

Conservationist

Ecologist

Wildlife Enforcement Officer

Did you know?

Fact 1

In Brazil, the tropical rainforest yields more than 450 species of trees in a single hectare

Fact 2

The tropical forests are home to biodiversity hotspots. Around 44 per cent of vascular plants and 35 percent of vertebrates exist in less than 1.5 percent of earth’s land.

Fact 3

The amazon forest produces alone 20 per cent of earth’s oxygen

Fact 4

Around 300 hundred million people live in the forests. The 80 per cent of the original forests of the earth have been cleared

Fact 5

Jadav Payeng is known as the forest man of India. He has created a man-made forest of 550 hectares

Exams

Colleges

Predictors

Resources

Quick links

Exams

Colleges & Courses

Predictors

Resources

Exams

Colleges

Predictors & E-Books

Resources

Engineering Preparation

Medical Preparation

Online Courses

Products

Exams

Colleges

Resources

Exams

Colleges

Predictors & Articles

Resources

Exams

Colleges

Predictors

Resources

Exams

Colleges

Upcoming Events

Resources

Exams

Colleges

Resources

Quick Links

Top Streams

Specializations

Resources

Top Providers

Exams

Colleges

Resources

Diploma Colleges

Exams

Colleges

Resources

Exams

Resources

Top Courses & Careers

Colleges

Exams

Upcoming Events

Resources

Other Exams

Exams

Colleges

Top Countries

Student Visas

Exams

Top Schools

Products & Resources

NCERT Study Material

How to Become a Forester

Who is a Forester?

Quick Facts for Forester

Table of Contents for Forester

What is the role of Forester?

Types of a Forester

What is the workplace/work environment of Forester like?

Does Forester require travelling?

Likely

Time Pressure

Likely

How to become a Forester?

Steps to become a Forester

Identify Skills

Enrol in formal Training/Course

Pursue Specialised Certification

Explore Internship Opportunities