Main functions of the Human Resource Development (HRD) WING
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Wing is solely responsible for imparting Mandatory Training to the Forest Drivers, Beat Forest Officers, Section Forest Officers, Wildlife Assistants. The Range Forest Officers (FNTR) category, Deputy Range Forest Officers and the Forest Watchers in the Kerala Forest Department. The quality of the training imparted in the State Forests Training Institutes (SFTIs) has a direct bearing on the field level performance of the frontline staff. The required infrastructure facilities and resource persons are quintessential to the SFTIs to impart these trainings. In addition to these mandatory trainings, HRD Wing is also responsible for imparting a number of general refresher courses in-service courses to the ministerial as well as the executive staff in the KFD, so as to equip them with the professional inputs required to meet up the emerging challenges in forestry sector. It also works as a Nodal Agency for facilitating training in the premier institutes like Institute of Management in Government (IMG), Kerala, Directorate of Forest Education, Dehradun and Institutes under Directorates of Forest Survey of India, CASFOS etc. The HRD wing also supports and co-ordinates the Kerala contingent for participating in the All India Forest Sports Meet every year. The Central Library and the Forest Museum are also maintained by the HRD wing.
The Office of the HRD was established as an Independent Office on 04.10.2004 vide G.O(Rt)No.411/2004/F&WLD dtd 04.10.2004. HRD Wing possess two subsidiary bodies, State Forest Training Institute, Arippa and State Forest Training Institute, Walayar.
The State Forest Training Institute Walayar, State Forest Training Institute Arippa, Forest Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Forest Museum, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Trainees Hostel, PTP Nagar and Forest Central Library at Forest Headquarters Thiruvananthapuram are functioning under the administrative control of the Conservator of Forests (HRD) wing.
Apart from these, the training fees and emoluments to the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun for IFS probationers are usually met from the
Fund allotted to HRD Wing.
The conduct of yearly Kerala State Forest Sports meet as well as ensuring participation in All India Forest Sports Meet are also mandates of HRD wing.
Objectives
- Protection and Management of Reserve Forest and Protected Areas of the Kerala State through trained professionals.
- Capacity building of the Human Resources in the Kerala Forest Department through adequate training and refresher courses.
Duties and functions of the Conservator of Forests (HRD) includes
- Preparation of Training Plan for the KFD
- Preparation of annual training calendar for the Training Institutes as well as Forest Training Centers
- Matters related to induction/refresher courses
- Act as a Nodal Agency for imparting training through external agencies such as IMG, CASFOS, FSI etc.
- Deputation of officers for training within and outside the state
- Preparation of data base of resource persons and availing their services for imparting training
- Maintenance and development of State Forest Training Institutes/Forest Training Centers
- Maintain a data bank on various training programmes conducted and the personnel imparting/yet to be imparted training
- Liaison with various training institutes of the Government of India (GO1)/ Government of Kerala (GOK) and other organizations for effecting improvements in the training
- Developing new schemes for funding training related matters
- Matters relating to Forest Sports and Games
- Maintenance and development of Forest Central Library
- Maintenance and development of Forestry Training Complex, PTP Nagar
- Maintenance and upkeep of Forest Museum PTP Nagar
- Maintenance and upkeep of Trainees Hostel, PTP Nagar
- Co- coordinating survey Training by providing logistics.
(a) Induction Trainings: –
Imparting 6 months induction training to Beat Forest Officers on forestry related subjects such as forest botany, forest mensuration, forest act and rules, forest survey, forest engineering, wildlife management, Forest Administration, Forest Protection, Social Forestry, Forest Management, Forest Utilization, IT Application, General Silviculture, Soil & Moisture Conservation, PFM etc., through class room sessions, practical sessions and study tours within and outside the state. During the study tours, inputs on the practical aspects of forestry is given top most priority, like dealing with forest offences, silvicultural operations, timber operations and nursery techniques. Physical training parade, exercises and games are part of the curriculum.
(b) In-service Trainings: –
Short term in-service Training courses at the Forestry Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram are organized for the following categories of officers/ staff:
I . Assistant Conservator of Forests
- Range Forest Officers
III. Deputy Range Forest Officers/Depot Officers
- Section Forest Officers
- Beat Forest Officers
- Senior/Junior Superintendent/Head Accountant
VII. Personal Assistants/Confidential Assistants
VIII. Clerk/Senior Clerk
- Drivers
(c) Refresher courses for frontline staff: – Refresher courses for frontline staff (Deputy Rangers/SFOs and BFOs) was organized at SFTI, Walayar and SFTI, Arippa.
- d) STP Trainings: –
The department has actively utilized the online trainings as per the State Training Policy, being organized by Institute of Management in Government at its Centres at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode during 2021-22.
Details of the Institutions
State Forest Training Institute, Walayar
Kerala Forest School, Walayar was established vide GO(MS)1220/ 61/Agri dated 5.12.1961 for the purpose of imparting training to the SFOs and BFOs of the KFD. The Institute is situated adjacent to Walayar Dam in Palakkad District on the border of Kerala State Forests Training Institute and Tamilnadu, about 25kms from the District Headquarters and about one km from the Palakkad – Coimbatore NH 47. Kerala Forest School,Walayar was renamed as State Forest Training Institute, Walayar vide G.O.(MS)No.85/2015/F&WLD dated 03.11.2015.
The first batch of foresters and forest guards commenced their training at Walayar on 01.01.1962. The State Forest Training Institute started functioning on land and buildings transferred from the Public Works Department and which were part of Walayar Dam Colony. 18.2601 ha of land was transferred by the PWD on payment of the land value and 1.3193 ha of land was already available with the KFD which constitutes the original Institute Campus. Semi-permanent buildings, which existed on these lands, were also taken by the KFD to be used as quarters, office buildings, class rooms, hostel etc. The main functions of this institution are to impart Induction Training to the frontline staff of Kerala Forest Department. Short duration Refresher Courses are also conducted for Frontline staff (Range Forest Officers, Wildlife Assistants, Deputy Rangers, Section Forest Officers and Beat Forest Officers).
State Forest Training Institute, Arippa
The Kerala Forest school, Arippa started functioning on 01.09.1981 as per G.O.(MS) 167/1981/Forest dated 27.05.1981 and was later renamed as, State Forest Training Institute, Arippa vide G.O.(MS)No.85/2015/F&WLD dated 03.11.2015. The mandate of the institute is imparting compulsory training to Beat Forest Officers,
Section Forest Officers, Forest Drivers, Deputy Range Forest Officers, Wildlife Assistant Grade II and Range Forest Officers and also to impart short term refresher course for the front line and ministerial staff of the Kerala Forest Department. The Forestry Training Institute was started in 1989 at Arippa under the World Bank aided Social Forestry Project in an area of 10 hectares. During 2012-16, with financial aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), new facilities were developed at Arippa which included New Hostel for trainees (Vanarani Hostel Block), a Faculty Hostel and renovation of the existing structures (Kuriniji Hostel, two Lectures Halls and Administrative block). Now two campus (SFTI & FTC) are functioning under State Forest Training Institute Arippa about 2km apart.
Forestry Training Centre, Arippa
The Forestry Training Centre was established on 20.04.1990 as per GO (MS) 111/89/F&WLD dated 21.11.1989 at the Social Forestry Complex, Arippa.
The Fire Depot cum training centre was established on 22.01.1979, as per GO No.268/78/AD dt. 05.10.1978 at Kulamavu with the objective of imparting training to the staff of Kerala Forest Department on modern fire fighting techniques. This Centre was later shifted to the Social Forestry Training Complex at Arippa as per GO (Rt) 4194/88/GAD dt.23.05.1988. Presently the facility is cancelled as Forestry Training Centre (FTC), Arippa.
Forest Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram
The FTC, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram was established under the World Bank assisted Kerala Forestry Project during 2001-02. The Centre is organizing short duration refresher courses for various levels and categories of personnel of the KFD.
Forest Museum, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram
Forest Museum at PTP Nagar is also managed and maintained by HRD wing,
Forest Central Library, Forest Headquarters:
Forest central Library in Forest Headquarters, Vazhuthacuad is also managed and maintained by HRD wing.