B. Sc. Forestry

SILVICULTURE & AGROFORESTRY

1. Principle and Practices of Silviculture
2. Silviculture of Indian Trees
3. Agroforestry System and Management Indian agriculture - its structure and constrants.
4. Plantation Forestry
5. Silvicultural Systems
6. Nursery Management
7. World Forestry Systems
8. Livestock Management
9. Forest Mensuration
10. Environmental Science
11. Fundamentals of Horticulture

FOREST BIOLOGY AND TREE IMPROVEMENT

1. Forest Ecology and Biodiversity
2. Dendrology
3. Principles of Tree Improvement
4. Tree Seed Technology
5. Fundamentals of Wildlife
6. Forest Pathology
7. Wild Life Management
8. Forest Entomology and Nematology

FOREST PRODUCTS AND UTILIZATION

1. Wood Anatomy
2. Logging and Ergonomics
3. Wood Products and Utilization
4. Wood Science and Technology
5. Ethnobotany
6. Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products
7. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. Principles of Hydrology, Soil and Water Conservation
2. Soil Survey, Remote Sensing and Wasteland Development
3. Fundamentals of Geology and Soil Science
4. Rangeland Management
5. Forest Management, Policy and Legislation
6. Agrometeorology
7. Forest Business Management
8. Marketing and Trade of Forest Produce
9. Principles of Forest Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation
10. Chemistry and Fertility of Forest Soils
11. Forest Engineering
12. Organic Farming

BASIC SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

1. Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology
2. Principles of Cytology and Genetics
3. Entrepreneurship Development and Communication Skills
4. Elementary Statistics and Computer Application
5. Principles of Plant Physiology
6. Tree Physiology
7. Introductory Forest Economics
8. Forest Tribology and Anthropology
9. Fundamentals of Extension Education

Forestry

1. Environmental and Forestry Science

Natural Resource Management

1. Agricultural Meteorology
2. Fundamentals of Soil Science
3. Fundamentals of Soil and Water  Conservation Engineering
4. Soil Chemistry, Fertility and Nutrient Management
5. Agricultural Microbiology
6. Manures, Fertilizers and Agro-Chemicals
7. Water Management
8. Organic Farming

SILVICULTURE & AGROFORESTRY

1.  Principle and Practices of Silviculture

Definition of forest and forestry. Classification of forest and forestry, branches of forestry and their relationships. Definition, objectives and scope of Silviculture. Status of forests in India and their role. History of forestry development in India. Site factors - climatic, edaphic, physiographic, biotic and their interactions. Classification of climatic factors. Role played by light, temperature, rainfall, snow, wind, humidity and evapo-transpiration in relation to forest vegetation. Bioclimate and micro climate effects. Edaphic factors - influence of biological agencies, parent rock, topography on the soil formation. Soil profile - physical and chemical properties, mineral nutrient and their role, soil moisture and its influence on forest production. Physiographic factors - influence of altitude, latitude, aspect and slope on vegetation. Biotic factors - influence of plants, insects, wild animals, man and domestic animals on vegetation. Impacts of controlled burning and grazing. Influence of forests on environment. Trees and their distinguishing features. Growth and development. Forest reproduction - flowering, fruiting and seeding behaviour. Natural, artificial and mixed regeneration. Natural regeneration - seed production, seed dispersal, germination and establishment. Requirement for natural regeneration. Dieback in seedling with examples. Plant succession, competition and tolerance. Forest types of India and their distribution.

1. Silviculture of Indian Trees

Origin, distribution, general description, phenology, silvicultural characters, regeneration methods, silvicultural systems and economic importance of the following conifer and broadleaved tree species of India. Conifers: Abies pindrow, Picea smithiana, Cedrus deodara, Pinus roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana, P. gerardiana and Juniperus macropoda. Broad leaved species: Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta, Acacia spp., Dalbergia sissoo, D latifolia, Quercus spp. Robinia pseudoacacia, Alnus spp. Anogeissus spp. Populus spp, Eucalyptus spp. Casuarina equisetifolia, Terminalia spp., Santalum album, Swietenia mahagony, Albizzia spp, Prosopis spp. Pterocarpus santalinus, Azardirachta indica, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Leucaena leucocephala and Bamboos.

1. Agroforestry System and Management Indian agriculture - its structure and constrants

Land use definition, classification and planning. Agroforestry - definition, aims, objectives and need. Traditional agroforestry systems: Taungya system,Shifting cultivation, wind break, shelterbelts, Homestead gardens'. Alley cropping, high density short rotation plantation systems, silvicultural woodlots/energy plantations. Classification of agroforestry system -structural, functional, socio-economic and ecological basis. Multipurpose tree species and their characteristics. Tree architecture, canopy management - lopping, prunning, pollarding and hedging. Diagnosis and design. Agroforestry systems in different agroclimatic zones, components, production and management techniques. Nutrient cycling, soil conservation, watershed management and climate change mitigation. Economics of agroforestry systems. People participation, rural entrepreneurship through agroforestry and industrial linkages. Analysis of fodder and fuel characteristics of tree/shrubs. Financial and socio-economic analysis of agroforestry systems.

1. Plantation Forestry

Definition, scope and impediments. Plantation forests - planting plan, plantation records, maps. Plantation establishment -legal title of land, survey, site selection. Site preparation - purpose and methods. Planting - layout, time of planting, planting pattern, spacing, gap filling, planting methods, direct seedling. Choice of species on ecological aspects - afforestation of dry land, wet land, other adverse sites and taungya. Enrichment planting, nurse and cover crops. Intercultural operations. Plantation maintenance - weed control, climber cutting, staking, singling and pruning. Thinning - definition, objectives. Effects of thinning - physiological and mensurational. Effect of methods of thinning on stand development. Energy and industrial plantation - definition, scope, species, establishment, management and impact on environment. Plantation economics.

1. Silvicultural Systems

Silvicultural system - definition, scope and classification. Even aged and uneven aged forests and their crown classes. Detailed study of the silvicultural systems: Clear felling systems including clear strip, alternate and progressive strip systems. Shelterwood system – Uniform system, Group system, Shelterwood strip system, Wedge system, Strip and group system, Irregular shelterwood system, Indian irregular shelterwood system. Seed tree method. Selection system and its modifications. Accessory systems. Coppice system – Simple coppice system, Coppice of the two rotation system, Shelterwood coppice system, Coppice with standard system, Coppice-with-reserve, Coppice selection system, Pollard system. Conversion and its implications. Choice of silvicultural system. Dauerwald concept. Culm selection system in Bamboo. Tending operations - weeding, cleaning, thinnings, definitions, objectives and methods, increment felling and improvement felling. Prunning and lopping. Control of climbers and undesirable plants.

1. Nursery Management

Propagation concept, definition, methods and importance. Site selection, planning and layout of nursery area. Types of nursery, types of nursery beds, preparation of beds. Pre-sowing treatments. Methods of seed sowing. pricking. watering methods, weeding, hoeing, fertilization, shading, root culturing techniques, lifting windows, grading, packaging. Storing and transportation. Type and size of containers. Merits and demerits of containerized nursery. Preparation of ingredient mixture. Vegetative propagation techniques - macro and micropropagation. Study of important nursery pests and diseases and their control measures. Nursery practices for some important tree species.

1. World Forestry Systems

Geographical distribution of forests and their classification. Critical examination of the world forest sources, productivity potential and increment of world forests. Forest resources and forestry practices in different regions of the world – North and South America, Europe, Africa, China, Japan, Russia, South-East Asia and Australia. Forest development and economy – forest based industries of the world. Recent trends in forestry development in the world. International forestry organizations.

1. Livestock Management

Important breeds of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat. Breeding and reproductive management for higher productivity – breeding systems, estrous cycle, heat detection and artificial insemination. Feeding management – types of feedstuffs available for feeding livestock. Feed nutrients and their functions in animal body. Assessing nutritive value of feed – estimation of feed nutrients by proximate and Van Soest methods, estimation of digestible nutrients and energy in feedstuffs. Principles of rationing. Milk – definition, composition and nutritive value. Factors affecting quantity and quality of milk. Prevention and control of diseases.

1. Forest Mensuration

Introduction, definition, objectives and scope of forest mensuration. Scales of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale). Units of measurement, standards of accuracy implied in their expression. Measurement of single tree - objectives, standard rules governing measurement at breast height. Measurement of tree diameter and girth using rulers, callipers and tapes. Comparison between tape and calliper measurements. Measurements of upper stem diameter and instruments such as Ruler, Finish Parabolic Calliper, Relaskop, Pentaprism. Bark measurements - objectives, thickness, surface area and volume. Crown measurements - objectives, diameter, height, surface area and volume. Height measurements - direct and indirect methods. Height measurement employing geometric and trigonometric principles, height measuring instruments, errors in height measurement. Measurement of cross sectional area, basal area, bole surface area, leaf area. The tree stem form, taper and classification of form factors and form quotient. Volume estimation of felled and standing trees and formulae involved. Volume tables-definition and their classification, (general, regional and local volume tables), merchantable volume tables. Preparation of volume tables. Stand growth, site quality, site index, stand structure, yield tables and preparation of yield tables. Biomass measurement. Determination of age of trees. Tree growth measurements, objectives increment, determination of increment, stump analysis, stem analysis and increment boring. Measuring tree crops - objectives, diameter, diameter and girth classes, height measurement of crop, crop age and crop volume. Stand tables. Forest inventory- definition, objectives, kinds of enumeration. Sampling - definition, advantages, kinds of sampling, random sampling: (simple, stratified, multistage and multiphase sampling). Non random sampling (selective, systematic and sequential sampling) sampling design, size and shape of the sampling units. Point sampling - horizontal and vertical point sampling. Introduction to remote sensing and its application in forestry.

1. Environmental Science

Environment: introduction, definition and importance. Components of environment - interactions with organisms. Global and Indian environment - past and present status. Environmental pollution and pollutants. Air, water, food, soil, noise pollution - sources, causes and types. Smog, acid rain, global warming, ozone hole, eutrophication, sewage amd hazardpis waste management. Impact of different pollutions on humans, organisms and environment. Introduction to biological magnification of toxins. Deforestation - forms and causes, relation to environment. Prevention and control of pollution - technological and sociological measures and solutions - Indian and global efforts. India, international and voluntary agencies for environmental conservation - mandates and activities. International conferences, conventions and summits - major achievements. Environmental policy and legislation in India. Introduction to environmental impact assessment. Causes of environmental degradation - socio-economic factors. Human population growth and lifestyle.

1. Fundamentals of Horticulture

Economic importance and classification of horticultural crops and their culture and nutritive value, area and production, exports and imports, fruit and vegetable zones of India and of different states, nursery management practices, soil and climate, vegetable gardens, nutrition and kitchen garden and other types of gardens – principles, planning and layout, management of orchards, planting systems and planting densities. Production and practices for fruit, vegetable and floriculture crops, nursery techniques and their management. Principles and methods of pruning and training of fruit crops, types and use of growth regulators in horticulture, water management, weed management, fertility management in horticultural crops, cropping systems, intercropping, multi-tier cropping, mulching, bearing habits, factors influencing the fruitfulness and unfruitfulness. Rejuvenation of old orchards, top working , frame working, principles of organic farming.

2. FOREST BIOLOGY AND TREE IMPROVEMENT

1. Forest Ecology and Biodiversity

Historical development of ecology as a science. Concept of levels of biological organization. Ecosystem – classification and distribution. Forest environment- Major abiotic and biotic components and their interaction, Nutrient cycling, trophic levels, food webs, ecological pyramids and energy flow. Population ecology - definition, population dynamics and carrying capacity, preparation of life table and its importance in forest management. Community ecology - Species interaction, Ecological succssion, terminology, basic concepts, climax vegetation types, Methods to study effects of forest management on succession. Island Biogeography. Autecology of important tree species. Biodiversity and conservation – definition, levels of study, distribution of diversity in life forms, hotspots of biodiversity, measurement of diversity and diversity indices. Principles of conservation biology, Ex situ and In situ methods of conservation, Genetical and evolutionary principles in conservation. Biosphere concept. Conservation – efforts in India and worldwide.

1. Dendrology

Introduction – importance and scope of dendrology, Morphology of woody plants and range of variation. Principles and systems of classification of plants. Bentham and Hooker’s, Engler and Prantles, and Hutchinson’s Systems. Plant Nomenclature – objectives, principles and International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Role of vegetative morphology in identification of woody forest flora. Peculiarities of tree stems, twigs, general form of woody trunk and deviations like buttresses, flutes, crooks, etc. Morpholog and description of barks of common trees. Characteristics of blaze on bark, colour, gums, latex, etc. Morphology of leaf, description of different types of leaves, colour of young and old leaves in some species as (regular) features of identification. Reproductive morphology of plants with reference to description and identification of reproductive parts. Floristics and procedures; herbarium techniques, collection, processing and preservation of plant material. General study of herbarium, arboretum and xylarium. Description of the plant in scientific terms, study of sport characteristics of plants, naming and classifying based on adopted system. Study of families, as survey of forest resources: Magnoliaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Ebenaceae, Sapotaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Santalaceae, Mimosaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Papilionaceae, Meliaceae, Salicaceae, Apocynaceae, Betulaceae, Verbenaceae, Fagaceae, Compositae, Moraceae, Poaceae, Tiliaceae, Liliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Pinaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Cupressaceae, Guttiferae, Taxaceae, Myrtaceae and Combretaceae. Geographical distribution of important Indian trees, native trees, exotic trees, endemism, allelopathy with respect to forest trees.

1. Principles of Tree Improvement

Introduction, history and development of tree improvement, its relation to other disciplines for forest management. Reproduction in forest trees – anthesis and pollination – their importance in tree breeding. Quantitative inheritance, heritability, genetic advance, genetic gain, combining ability and their application. Genetic, environmental and phenotypic expression of trees. Genetic basis of tree breeding and selection practices in forest trees. Patterns of environmental variation- species and provenance trials in forest trees. Seed stands (seed production areas) Plus tree selection, progeny trials and establishment of seed orchard. Genetic consequences of hybridization. Back cross breeding, heterosis breeding, breeding for resistance to insect pest, diseases, air pollution and for wood properties. Conservation of forest tree germplasm. Recent techniques in tree improvement. Vegetative propagation and tree improvement.

1. Tree Seed Technology

Introduction – Seed and its importance – afforestation activity and seed requirements in India and HP. Role of seed technology in nursery stock production. Production of quality seed, identification of seed collection areas-seed orchards – maintenance of genetic purity-isolation and roguing, seed source provenance and stands. Selection of seed tree, genotypic and phenotypic selection, plus tree – pure stands, elite seed tree, isolated tree and their location. Locality factors. Seed Collection – Planning and Organization, Collection methods, Factors affecting seed collection, Seed maturity and tests. Seed processing – Seed extraction, drying, blending, cleaning, grading, treating, bagging, labeling and storage. Storage – orthodox and recalcitrant seeds, precautions of handling of recalcitrant seeds, natural longevity of tree seeds, factors affecting longevity – storage conditions, methods and containers. Seed testing, sampling, mixing and dividing, determination of genuineness, germination, moisture, purity, vigour, viability, seed dormancy and breaking of seed dormancy. Different viability and vigour tests, seed pelleting, seed health. Classes of tree seeds, certification procedures of tree seeds.

1. Fundamentals of Wildlife

Introduction : Definition of wildlife, free living, captive, domesticated and feral animals. Justification of wildlife conservation, uses, values and negative impact of wildlife. Zoogeographic regions and biomes of the world. India’s uniqueness in biodiversity, reasons and causes of wildlife depletion. Biogeographic classification of India. Status and distribution of wildlife in India. Scientific and common names of important mammals, birds and reptiles. Rare, endangered and threatened species of mammals, birds and reptiles of India. Agencies involved in wildlife conservation, Govt. and NGO’s. BNHS, WWF, Indian Board for wildlife, CITES. Biological basis of wildlife management. Basic requirements of wildlife – food, water, cover and space, limiting factors. Wildlife ecology : Relevance of basic ecological concepts such as foodchain, foodweb, ecological pyramids, habitat, ecological niche, carrying capacity, density, prey-predator relations and population dynamics.

1. Forest Pathology

History and importance of forest pathology in India and the world. Relation of plant pathology with forest pathology and other sciences, classification of tree diseases. Role of microbes and fungi in a natural forest ecosystem. Broad classification of different pathogens causing tree diseases. General characteristics of fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasma and phanerogames. Important characters of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. Important orders and families of Hymenomycetes with a special reference to Aphyllophoraeae and Agaricaceae that contain members causing tree diseases. Growth and reproduction of plant pathogens, infection and factors influencing disease development. Dissemination and survival of plant pathogens. Distribution, economic importance, symptoms, etiology and management of the following. Diseases of important tree species like teak, Dalbergia sp., Acacia spp., neem, cassia, sal, Albizia, Terminalia, mango, jack, pines, deodar, eucalyptus, bamboo, casuarina, rubber, sandal wood, medicinal and aromatic plants grown in different agroforestry systems. Biodegradation of wood in use. Types of wood decay, gross characters of decay, sapstain, different types of rots in hardwoods, softwoods and their prevention. Graveyard test and decay resistant woods. Principles of forest disease management. Definition and scope of disease management in forestry. Importance of disease cycle and economic threshold in disease management. Principles of disease management such as exclusion, cultural, chemical, biological and immunization. Nature of disease resistance. Fungicides and their use in nurseries and plantations. Integration of cultural, chemical, biological and host resistance in disease management, Meristem and tissue culture techniques in disease management. Nursery diseases of important forest species.

1. Wild Life Management

History of wildlife management and conservation in India; cultural background. Habitat management: Purposes, principles, practices and tools-fire, cutting, grazing. Habitat interspersion and edge effect. Provision of water, saltlicks and food. Zoning – core, buffer, tourism and multiple use in protected areas. Wildlife damage control : Mitigating human – wildlife conflict: fences, trenches, walls, lure crops, repellents, translocation and compensation. Captive wildlife : Zoos and safari parks. Captive breeding for conservation. Central Zoo Authority of India. Wildlife census : Purpose, techniques. Direct and indirect methods of population estimation. Sample and total counts, indices, encounter rates and densities. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Protected areas – Sanctuary, National Park and Biosphere Reserves. Special projects for wildlife conservation. Project Tiger and Musk Deer Project. Introduction and reintroduction of species. Wildlife corridors. MAB, Red Data Book, Category of threat, CITES. Conservation : Meaning, principles and strategies, in-situ and exsitu conservation, conserving biodiversity. Politics-socioeconomics, role of education and extension.

1. Forest Entomology and Nematology

Definition, importance and scope of Entomology. Definition of insect and its position in the Animal Kingdom. Important characters of phylum arthropoda and class insecta. External morphology of generalized insect. Insect growth and development, Reproduction in insects, immature stages (Egg. Larvae/Nymph and Pupae); metamorphosis in Insects Taxonomic classification of class Insecta, diagnostic characters of the orders and major families of economic importance. History and importance of Forest Entomology in India. Methods and principles of pest control: Mechanical, physical, silvicultural, legal, biological and chemical. Principles and techniques of Integrated Pest Management in forests. Classification of forest pests : types of damages and symptoms; factors for outbreak of pests. Nature of damage and management: Insect pests of forest seeds, forest nursery and standing trees of timber yielding species of natural forest (Tectona, Dalbergia sp., Sal, Albizia spp., Sandal, Ailanthus, Gmelina, Terminalia, Deodar, Pines); Plantation forest species (Eucalyptus, Bamboo, Casuarina, Neem, Acacia) Fruit trees (Emblica, Ber, Eugenia, Tamarind). Insect pests of freshly felled trees, finished timbers and their management. Morphology of plant parasitic nematodes, brief classification of important genera of nematodes. Important diseases caused by different genera and their management practices.

3. FOREST PRODUCTS AND UTILIZATION

1. Wood Anatomy

Introduction to Wood Anatomy. The plant body – Cell and organelles, meristems, promeristem, primary meristem, secondary meristem, apical and intercalary meristems. Simple tissues- parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma. Complex and vascular tissues. Anatomy of stems and roots of dicots and monocots. The secondary growth in woody plants. Mechanism of wood formation. Formation of early and late wood, growth rings, transformation of sapwood to heartwood. The macroscopic features of wood, bark- sapwood, heartwood, pith, growth rings, wood rays, resin or gum-canals. Cell inclusions. Physical properties of wood; colour, hardness, weight, texture, grain, lusture, etc. Abnormalities in wood -- deviation from typical growth form (leaning, bending, crook, fork, buttress), grain deviation, false and discontinuous growth rings. Reaction wood-compression and tension wood. Disruption of continuity of inner wood, shakes, included bark, resin pockets, pith flecks, knots (live and dead).

1. Logging and Ergonomics

Definition and scope of logging, logging plan and execution. Location and demarcation of the area for logging and estimation of produce available for extraction. Implements used in logging operation- traditional and improved tools. Felling rules and methods. Conversion, measurement and description of converted material. Means of transport of timber- carts, dragging, skidding, overhead transport, ropeways, skylines. Transport by road and railways. Transport by water- floating, rafting and concept of booms. Grading and Storage of timber in the depots for display and disposal, temporary and final storage. Timber Depots- types, lay out and management. Systems of disposal of timber. Size of material in logging operation. Ergonomics: definition, components and provision of energy. Requirement of energy and rest periods. Effect of heavy work, posture, weather and nutrition. Personal protective equipments, safety helmets, ear and eye protections. Accidents: causes, statistics, safety rules and first aids. Plants, animals and insect infestations; diseases and their prevention.

1. Wood Products and Utilization

Pulp and paper industry. Introduction and raw material; pulping-mechanical, chemical, semichemical and semi-mechanical; pulp bleaching; stock preparation and sheet formation; types of paper; manufacture of rayon and other cellulose derived products. Manufacture, properties and uses of Composite wood- plywood, fiberboard, particleboard and hard board. Adhesives used in manufacture of composite wood. Improved wood-definition, types (impregnated wood, heat stabilized wood, compressed wood, and chemically modified wood). Destructive distillation of wood. Saccharification of wood. Production of wood molasses, alcohol and yeast.

1. Wood Science and Technology

Wood as raw material, kinds of woods– hardwood, softwood; bamboos and canes. Merits and demerits of wood as raw material. The physical features of wood. Mechanical properties of wood like tension, compression, bending, shearing cleavage, hardness, impact resistance, nail and screw holding capacities. Suitability of wood for various uses based on mechanical and physical properties. Electrical and acoustic properties of wood. Wood water relationship – shrinkage, swelling, movement, fibre saturation, equilibrium moisture contact. Wood seasoning – merits, principles and types – air seasoning, kiln seasoning and chemicals seasoning. Refractory classes of timbers, kiln schedules. Seasoning defects and their control. Wood preservation – principles, processes, need, types of wood preservatives (Water soluble, oil based, etc.), Classification of timbers based on durability. General idea about fire retardants and their usage. Non-pressure methods – steeping, dipping, soaking open tank process, Boucherie process. Pressure methods – full cell process, empty cell process (Lowry and Rueping). Wood machining. Sawing – techniques, kinds of saws – cross cut, edging, cudless, hand, circular and bow saws. Wood working, tools used in wood working (parting, slicing, shaping, measuring and marking tools). Various stages in wood working. Dimensional stabilization of wood by surface coating method, bulking method, impregnation of resins and polymers.

1. Ethnobotany

Definition and scope of ethnobotany. Man and biological resource of earth with respect to plants. Terms employed in relation to ethnobotany and its relationship with man and domestic animals. Ethnic - people and their contribution in therapeutic and ethnobotanical knowledge especially with respect to medicinal and allied aspects. Important plants and their folk uses for medicines, food, dyes, tans, etc. Symbolic relationships including mythology mainly from the following families. Guttiferae (Clusiaceae), Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Combretaceae, Umbelliferae (Apiaceae), Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Ebenaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Palmaceae, Poaceae, Liliaceae, Coniferae, Santalaceae, Thymeliaceae.

1. Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products

Introduction, methods of collection, management and importance of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP). Fodder (grasses and tree leaves), canes and bamboos. Essential Oils - methods of extraction, classification, storage and uses. Non-essential oils – nature, occurrence, methods of extraction, classification and uses. Important fixed oil yielding trees. Gums and resins –definition, classification, sources, collection and uses. Factors affecting gum formation. Important gum yielding plants. Resins and Oleoresins, their formation in plants and classification of resins. Tans- nature, classification, uses and important tannin yielding plants. Dyes – classification and sources of dyes. Beedi leaves – sources, collection and processing. Fibers and flosses. Katha and Cutch – sources, extraction and uses. Drugs, wild fruits, spices, poisons and bio-pesticides.

1. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

History, scope, opportunities and constraints in the cultivation and utilisation of medicinal and aromatic plants in India. Importance, origin, distribution, area, production, climatic and soil requirements, propagation and nursery techniques, planting and aftercare, training and pruning, nutritional and water requirements. Plant protection, harvesting, processing and economics of under mentioned important medicinal and aromatic plants. Medicinal Plants : pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger, turmeric, betelvine, periwinkle, Rauvolfia, Dioscorea, isabgol, Ammi majus, belladonna, Cinchona, pyrethrum and other species relevant to local conditions. Aromatic Plants : Citronella grass, khus grass, sweet flag (bach), lavender, geranium, patchouli, bursera, Mentha, muskdana (musk mallow), Ocimum and other species relevant to the local conditions. Endangered medicinal and aromatic plants of India and their conservation. Study of chemical composition of a few important medicinal and aromatic plants, their extraction and use. Therapeutic and pharmaceutical uses of important species.

4. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. Principles of Hydrology, Soil and Water Conservation

Definition and importance of Hydrology, Hydrological cycle, weather and hydrology, rainfall measurement and analysis, hydrologic properties, infiltration, runoff, water holding capacity of soils, free water, capillary water, hygroscopic water, ground water, evapotranspiration, water yield, interception by stemflow through fall, study of hydrographs. Recharging of water wells and springs. Wasteland Management: Objectives, components, runoff, factors affecting runoff, stream flow and stream gauging. Sedimentation, factors affecting sedimentation, flood and its control measures. Afforestation and forest management in wasteland areas. Soil erosion, universal soil loss equation, soil and water conservation practices and soil conservation structure like contour and graded bunding. Bench terracing and bench bank stabilization. Waterways their design, layout, construction, stabilization and maintenance. Methods of land leveling, its cost estimation, their location and design. Water harvesting structures and farm ponds. Irrigation Source: Water wells, aquifers, water application methods; surface, subsurface, drip and sprinkler irrigation system. Drainage: types of drainage systems, their selection, design, installation and maintenance.

1. Soil Survey, Remote Sensing and Wasteland Development

Scope and objective; soil survey, sampling methods; planning, inventory, permanent sample plots; sample size allocation, landuse classes and planning. Aerial photography and remote sensing-definition, meaning, scope, merits and brief history. Electromagnetic spectrum; radiations, differential reflections by surfaces, active and passive remote sensing, earth observation satellites. Equipment and materials-aerial bases, cameras, filters, stereoscopes, computers, radars. Photogrammetry: Vertical and oblique photography. Photographs and images, scales, resolution, photo interpretation, photogrammetry, image analysis, mapping. Agencies involved in remote sensing and acquiring information from them. Remote sensing; principles, uses in forestry, status monitoring, fire, vegetation/cover classification and mapping, species identification, height and volume – estimation. Identification of tree species and their form stand delineation. Interpretation of land forms and soils; use of micro-level survey of farm forests, large scale photos in forest inventory, site selection. Imagery and image analysis – video satellite, computer and radars. Geographic Information systems- Computer softwares used. Characterization of wasteland, present status and extent of nonarable lands and their productivity. Salt affected soils, lateritic, marsh and swampy and rocky hills, rocky plains, murrammy and sandy soils, their characteristics and reclamation. Sites with superficial impervious hard pan. Eroded ravines and gullies, various techniques of afforestation of adverse sites, trees suitable for adverse sites. Afforestation and reclamation of mine wastes. Stabilization of tailing dumps and prevention of dust pollution. Sewage water as source of tree nutrients.

1. Fundamentals of Geology and Soil Science

Composition of earth’s crust, soil as a natural body-major components by volume-pedologyrocks- types- Igneous-sedimentary and metamorphic-classification-soil forming mineralsdefinition- classification-silicates-oxides carbonates – sulphides – phosphates occurrence. Weathering of rocks and minerals-weathering factors-physical-chemical-biological agents involved, weathering indices-factors of soil formation, land forms-parent material climateorganism- relief-time-soil forming processes-eluviations and illuviation-formation of various soils. Problem soils: salted soils, permeable, flooded, sandy soils properties. Physical parameters texture-definition-methods of textural analysis-Stock’s law-assumptionlimitations- textural classes-use of textural triangle, absolute specific gravity-definitionapparent specific gravity/bulk density-factors influencing-field bulk density. Relation between BD.PD-Practical Problem. Pore space-definition-factors affecting capillary and noncapillary porosity-soil colour-definition-its significance-colour variable-hue, value, chroma, Munsell colour chart-factors influencing-parent material-soil moisture-organic matter, soil structure-definition-classification-clay prism like structure-factors influencing genesis of soil structure, soil consistency plasticity-Atterberg’s constants. Soil air-air capacity-compositionfactors influencing-amount of air space-soil air renewal, soil temperature-sources and distribution of heat-factors influencing-measurement, chemical properties-soil colloidsorganic- humus-inorganic-secondary silicate-clay-hydrous oxides. Soil organic matter decomposition-pH-nutrient availability-soil buffering capacity, soil water-forms-hygroscopic capillary and gravitational-soil moisture constants-hygroscopic coefficient-wilting point-field capacity-moisture equivalent, maximum water holding capacity, energy concepts-pF scalemeasurement- gravimetric-electric and tensiometer methods-pressure plate. and pressure membrane apparatus-Neutron probe-soil water movement-saturated and unsaturatedinfiltration and percolation-soil survey – classification–aerial photography–satellite–their interpretation, soil orders-land capability-classification, soils of different eco-systems and their properties; water quality parameters and assessment.

1. Rangeland Management

Introduction and definition. Relationship with other disciplines. History and development. Types and distribution around world. Grasses : characters and classification. Characteristics of rangelands: components of vegetation, nutrient value of forages and environmental factors. Importance of rangelands. Indian rangelands : origin, distribution, characteristics, status and management. Ecology in relation to grazing – Ecological concepts relevant in rangeland management, animal – plant interactions, effect on vegetation and plant succession. Plant morphology and physiology in relation to grazing factors – factors influencing food synthesis and reproduction. Range inventory – mapping, methods of sampling and evaluation, purposes and principles, Carrying capacity. Range utilization. Intensity and frequency of use. Range management – topography, animal species, forage preference, density. Grazing – grazing intensity, season of grazing, types – their merits and demerits. Animal unit (A.U.). Fire – controlled burning, effect of fire on vegetation and fauna. Weed control – types, their characteristics, chemical and biological control. Range improvement – range seeding, introduction of grasses and legumes, fertilization, soil and water conservation strategies. Multiple use.

1. Forest Management, Policy and Legislation

Introduction: definition and scope. Peculiarities of forest management. Principles of forest management and their applications. Objects of management, purpose and policy. Sustained and progressive yield concept and meaning. General definitions – management and administrative units, felling cycle, cutting section. Rotations: definition, kinds of rotations, choice of rotations, length of rotations and conversion period. Normal forest: definition and concept. Evenaged and unevenaged models. Estimation of growing stock, density, quantity and increment. Yield regulation – general principles of even aged and unevenaged forest crop. Yield regulation based on area, volume, area and volume, increment and number of trees. Working Plan – definition, objects and necessity. Forest Policy: definition, necessity and scope. Legal and institutional approaches to forest resource management. National Forest Policies. Forest Law: legal definition. Objects of special forest law. Indian Forest Act. Detailed study of IFA, 1927. Himachal Pradesh State Forest Acts and Rules.

1. Agrometeorology

Agrometeorology-definition, aim and scope. Factors and elements of weather and climate. Composition and structure of atmosphere. Air and soil temperature regimes, atmospheric humidity, types of clouds and precipitation, hails and frost. Cyclones, anticyclones and thunderstorms. Solar radiations-components and effect on plant growth. Wind as a source of energy. Effect of weather and climate on the growth and development of crops. Climatic normals for crops. Agroclimatic zones of India and Himachal Pradesh. Evaporation and transpiration. Use of remote sensing techniques in agrometerology. Agriculture weather forecasting.

1. Forest Business Management

Forest Business Management (Curricula to be developed)

1. Marketing and Trade of Forest Produce

Nature and scope of marketing. Approaches to marketing and the study of marketing functions with special reference to forestry. Classification of market, market structure and conduct of important timber and non-timber markets. Marketing channels, costs, margins and price spread – concepts and applications. Concepts of market integration and marketing efficiency. Role of public and private agencies in marketing of forest produce. Market inefficiencies in the trade of forest produce and measures to check the same. Fundamentals of international trade. Domestic and international trade in timber and non-timber forestry outputs. Demand forecasts – concept and methods. WTO – background, structure, functions and decision making process. IPRs and their implications for forestry and allied sectors in the country.

1. Principles of Forest Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation

Nature and scope of forest economics, importance of forestry in economic development. Concepts of demand, derived demand and supply with special reference forestry outputs. Basics of marginal analysis and its applications in economic analysis of forestry production systems. Basics of Linear Programming. Financial and economic rotations. Fundamentals of project planning and evaluation and network scheduling techniques. Valuation of timber and non-timber forest products.

1. Chemistry and Fertility of Forest Soils

Introduction; Forest soils Vs. cultivated soils. Properties of soils under different forest ecosystems. Soil colloids and exchange phenomenon. Essential nutrient elements-occurrence, availability and their functions. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies-visual symptoms, soil fertility evaluation methods. Site productivity and nutrient cycling in forest soils. N,P and K, Macro and micronutrient fertilizers and their uses. Brief history of Microbiology. Forest soil environment-distribution of various microorganisms in soil ecosystem and their interaction effects. Mineral Transformation-carbon cycle with reference to organic matter decomposition and humus formation, Microbial degradation of cellulose & lignin. Bio-fertilizers – their importance. Nitrogen fixation-Rhizobium-tree legume symbiosis, Frankia X non-legume symbiosis, asymbiotic and associative N2 fixation. Nitrification and denitrification in forest ecosystems. Microbial transformation of phosphorous, sulphur and micro nutrients. Mycorrhizae: types, biology and importance with specific relevance to tree crops and mobilization of phosphorus and micro-nutrients. Rhizosphere and phyllosphere concept.

1. Forest Engineering

Engineering survey, scope and types of surveying, chain surveying, types and instruments used; Traversing, triangulation, survey stations, base line, check and tie lines; ranging of survey lines; offsets and their types; chain of sloppy grounds, chaining across obstacles; cross staff surveying, compass surveying, chain and compass traversing, magnetic and true bearings, prismatic compass, local attraction. Computation of interior angles and balancing of closed traverse. Plane table surveying; plane table and its accessories, methods of plane table surveying. Leveling: terms used, types of levels, dumpy level and its adjustments, booking of staff readings, calculation of reduced levels. Theodolite and its uses. Contour surveying. Building materials – types, strength and characteristics, site selection for building construction. Forest roads – alignment, construction and drainage; retaining walls, breast walls, waterways and culverts; bridges – types, selection of site, simple wooden beam bridges, check dams, spurs, farm ponds, earth dams.

1. Organic Farming

Introduction, concept, relevance in present context; Organic production requirements; Biological intensive nutrient management-organic manures, vermicomposting, green manuring, recycling of organic residues, biofertilizers; Soil improvement and amendments; Integrated diseases and pest management – use of biocontrol agents, biopesticides pheromones, trap crops, bird perches; Weed management; Quality considerations, certification, labeling and accreditation processors, marketing, exports.

5. BASIC SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

1. Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Carbohydrates-occurrence and classification-structures of glucose, fructose, ribose, maltose, lactose, starch and cellulose, physical and chemical properties of carbohydrates-isomerism, optical activity, reducing property, reaction with acids and alkalis-osazone formation. Lipidsclassification- important fatty acids and triglycerides, essential fatty acids -rancidity of oils acids value, saponification value & iodine value -phospholipids-types and importance-plant pigments-structure and function of chlorophyll and carotenoids-sterols-basic structure. Protein - classification - functional and solubility - amino acids-classification and structureessential amino acids - properties of amino acids-colour reactions, amphoteric nature and isomerism-structure of proteins – primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary properties and reactions of proteins. Enzymes-classification and mechanism of action-factors affecting enzyme action-cofactors and coenzymes - vitamins and mineral as coenzymes/cofactorscarbohydrate metabolism-glycolysis and TCA cycle-metabolism of lipids - lipases and phospholipases-fatty acid oxidation. Biosynthesis of fatty acids, protein metabolismproteolytic enzyme, electron transport chain-ATP formation, bioenergetics of glucose and fatty acids. Photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation structure and component of nucleic acids, replication, transcription and translation. Historical developments in bio-technology. Application of plant tissue culture in plant improvement Micropropagation: Principales and application in forestry trees and medicinal plants; meristem culture; plant cell and suspension cultures; organogenesis and regeneration in vitro and somaclonal variations; genetic engineering techniques; transgenic plants with case studies of tree species to diseases, production of secondary metabolities; germplasm conservation; An introduction to bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics, biodegradation of forestry wastes through genetically engineered microbes.

1. Principles of Cytology and Genetics

History of genetics and hypothesis-theories. Physical basis of heredity, cell reproduction – mitosis - meiosis and its significance. Gametogenesis and syngamy in plants. Mendel’s principles of heredity, deviation from Mendelian inhritance, pleiotropy, threshold characters, co-dominance pentrance and expresivity.. Chromosome theory of inheritance, gene interaction: modification of monohybrid and dihybrid ratios. Multiple alleles, quantitative inheritance, linkage and crossing over, sex determination - theories, sex linked inheritance and characters. Cytoplasmic inheritance and maternal effects. Chemical basis of heredity: Structure of DNA and its replication. Evidences to prove DNA as genetic material. Mutation and its classification. Chromosomal aberrations: Changes in chromosome structure and number

1. Entrepreneurship Development and Communication Skills

Entrepreneurship Development: Assessing overall business environment in the Indian economy. Overview of Indian social, political and economic systems and their implications for decision making by individual entrepreneurs. Globalisation and the emerging business / entrepreneurial environment. Concept of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial and managerial characteristics; managing an enterprise; motivation and entrepreneurship development; importance of planning, monitoring, evaluation and follow up; managing competition; entrepreneurship development programs; SWOT analysis, Generation, incubation and commercialization of ideas and innovations. Government schemes and incentives for promotion of entrepreneurship. Government policy on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) / SSIs. Export and Import Policies relevant to forestry sector. Venture capital. Contract farming and joint ventures, public-private partnerships. Overview of forestry inputs industry. Characteristics of Indian forestry processing and export industry. Social Responsibility of Business. Communication Skills: Structural and functional grammar; meaning and process of communication, verbal and non-verbal communication; listening and note taking, writing skills, oral presentation skills; field diary and lab record; indexing, footnote and bibliographic procedures. Reading and comprehension of general and technical articles, precis writing, summarizing, abstracting; individual and group presentations, impromptu presentation, public speaking; Group discussion. Organizing seminars and conferences.

1. Elementary Statistics and Computer Application

Basic concepts: Variable statistics, types and sources of data, classification and tabulation of data, construction of frequency distribution, tables, graphic representation of data, simple, multiple component and percentage, bar diagram, pie diagram, histogram, frequency polygon and frequency curve average and measures of location, mean, mode, median, geometric mean, harmonic mean, percentiles and quadrilles, for raw and grouped data. Dispersion: Range, standard deviation, variance, coefficient of variation for raw and grouped data. Probability: Basic concept, additive and multiplicative laws. Theoretical distributions, binominal, poison and normal distributions, sampling, basic concepts, sampling vs. complete enumeration parameter and statistic, sampling methods, simple random sampling and stratified random sampling. Tests of Significance: Basic concepts, tests for equality of means, and independent and paired t-tests, chi-square test for application of attributes and test for goodness of fit of mendalian ratios. Correlation: Scatter diagram, correlation co-efficient and its properties, regression, fitting of simple linear regression, test of significance of correlation and regression coefficient. Experimental Designs: Basic concepts, completely randomized design, randomized block design, latin square designs, factorial experiments, basic concepts, analysis of factorial experiments up to 3 factors – split plot design, strip plot design, long term experiments, plot size, guard rows. Computer application: Introduction to computers and personal computers, basic concepts, operating system, DOS and Windows 95, introduction to programming languages, BASIC language, concepts, basic and programming techniques, MS Office, Win Word, Excel, Power Point, introduction to Multi-Media and its application. VISUAL BASIC-concepts, basic and programming techniques, introduction to Internet.

1. Principles of Plant Physiology

Water relations in plants: role of water in plant metabolism, osmosis, imbibition, diffusion, water potential and its components, absorption of water, mechanisms of absorption, ascent of sap. Stomata, structure, distribution, classification, mechanisms of opening and closing of stomata, guttation, transpiration, factors affecting transpiration. Different types of stresses: water, heat and cold tolerance, mechanism of tolerance. Plant nutrition: essentiality, mechanism of absorption, role in plant metabolism, Photosynthesis, importance of photosynthesis, Structure and function of chloroplast, dark and light reactions, CO2 fixation, C3, C4 and CAM, advantages of C4 pathway, photorespiration and its implications. Factors affecting the photosynthesis. Respiration, glycolysis, TCA cycle and Electron transport chain, ATP synthesis and factors affecting the respiration. . Photohormones, physiological role in controlling plant process. Environmental stimuli for plant development.

1. Tree Physiology

Tree structure, growth, development, differentiation and reproduction. Plant growth functions and growth kinetics, Physiological functions and processes in trees. Environmental effects on growth and development. Productivity of tropical deciduous and evergreen forests. Light use efficiency in forest species, canopy structure, plant phyllotaxis and its importance in translocation. Plant light relationship environment. Branching in isolated plants. Monoculture and mixed tree communities. LAI, Photosynthetic efficiency and respiratory losses, sourcesink relationship, Factors affecting photosynthesis. Radiation interception, absorption of water, ascent of sap and water balance. Transport processes with special reference to long distance transport in trees and its impact on plant water relations and photosynthesis. Development of seeds and seedlings. Biocides and growth regulators in forest ecosystems. Senescence and abscission. Role of trees in pollution control.

1. Introductory Forest Economics

Nature and scope of economics and its relationship with other sciences. Theory of consumption. Marshallion theory of utility, equimarginal utility and Hicks-Allen approach for determining consumer equilibrium. Concept and types of demand, laws of demand and factors affecting demand of commodities. Elasticity – its kinds, measurement and factors affecting it. Factors of production, their definition and characteristics, Law of diminishing marginal returns. Supply – definition, law and elasticity. Market – its classification and price determination under different market situation. Introduction to distribution theories with particular reference to Ricardian Theory of Rent. Marginal productivity theory of wages, Liquidity preference theory of interest, Marginal Productivity theory, risk taking and uncertainty bearing theories of profit. National Income and its concepts. Concept and types of inflation.

1. Forest Tribology and Anthropology

Anthropology – definitions, nature and scope of Anthropology. Branches of Anthropology & methods of anthropological study, Concepts of Culture, Society, Community, Groups and Institutions. Race – concept criteria of racial classification, major races of India and the world. Social Institutions: Family – forms and functions, Marriage – forms and functions, Kinship – decent, residence, Systems terminology and usages, Tribal Economy, Tribal religion. Meaning, definitions and characteristics of Tribes. History of Indian Tribes. Tribal Demography. Tribal - Social and Political organization. Tribal Law and Justice. Tribal taboo and Totem. Socio-cultural and socio-economic problems of tribes with special reference to indebtedness, land alienation, shifting cultivation, migration, depopulation, un-employment, impact of urbanization and industrialization, education and forest problems. Social and cultural change – its meaning and characteristics and difference between social & cultural change and recent changes among the tribals. Forest and Tribes – their relationship–forest ecosystem and cottage industries. Role of Tribals in Forest protection, development & conservation. Tribal welfare and social forestry, Tribals and Co-operative movements. History of tribal welfare and administration - the Constitutional safeguards for the scheduled tribes. Policies, plans and programmes of tribal development and their implementations. The role of anthropology in tribal development.

1. Fundamentals of Extension Education

Extension education: meaning, definition, nature, scope, objectives, principles, approaches and history. Forestry extension: process, principles and selected programmes of leading national and international forest institutes. People’s participation in forestry programmes. Motivation of women community, children, youth and voluntary organizations for forestry extension work. Rural Development: meaning, definition, objectives and genesis. Transfer of technology programmes like lab to land programme (LLP) national demonstration (ND), front line demonstration (FLD) Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), Technology Assessment and Refinement Programme (TARP) etc. of ICAR. Communication: meaning, definition, elements and selected models. Audio – visual aids: importance, classification and selection. Programming planning process – meaning, scope, principles and steps. Evaluation: meaning, importance and methods. Scope and importance of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) & Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA). Management and administration: meaning, definition, principles and functions. Concepts of human resource development (HRD), rural leadership.