Question : Training to Forest Workers

(a) whether the Government has formulated a comprehensive policy to impart training to the forest workers regarding the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of forestry and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has received proposals from various State Governments regarding setting up of Forest Academies for the said purpose and if so, the details thereof indicating the States from which such proposals have been received;

(c) whether any of the State Governments has been allocated funds in this regard; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement refer to in reply to part (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred question no. 244 due for reply on 12.03.2021 regarding ‘Training to Forest Workers’ by Shri Sanjay Jadhav

(a)Yes Sir. Forestry training is provided by both Central Government and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun and Central Academy for State Forest Service (CASFOS) of Directorate of Forest Education (DFE) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MOEF&CC) impart training to the Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers and State Forest Service (SFS) officers respectively. The DFE also undertakes training for Range Forest Officers (RFOs) at its selected centres as per the need.

The DFE also coordinates the curriculum for the training of Range Forest Officers (RFOs) at different Range Forest Officer Training Colleges established and run by the respective State Governments.

These institutes provide training on latest relevant contents in scientific and technological development including on silviculture, restoration of degraded forests, improved afforestation techniques, wildlife conservation, survey of forests, and utilization of forest products. Such training also exposes the forest officers and staff to latest techniques including Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS), Information Technology (IT) and digital applications.

Besides, the State Governments run various Forest Training Academies/Training Schools to impart training to frontline forest officers and staff such as Range Forest Officers (RFOs), Forester, Forest Guard/other Workers on related technical subjects in the field of forestry.

(b), (c) &(d) The Ministry has provided funds to State Governments for upgradation and strengthening of training facilities in 26 State Forestry Training Institutes (SFTIs)/Schools of the 13 participating states under an externally aided project funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)titled “Capacity Development for Forest Management and Training of Personnel”. The project focused on training of frontlineofficers and staff including RFOs, Foresters and Forest Guards. Funds released to States under this Project from the year 2011 to 2018 is given in Annexure-I.


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