A novel and unique initiative is being undertaken by the Directorate of Forest Education in the form of an educational, electronic journal titled “Field Forester” to be published on quarterly/monthly basis. It will function as a platform for exchanging ideas about the state of field forestry in the country. Dr SS Negi, Additional Director General (FC), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, has said in his message on this occasion that “the new generation of foresters can draw on this vast repository of knowledge and learning even as they prepare for their work and growth in the field of forest management.” He said that this journal would ensure that “this knowledge reaches a wider community of scientists and experts and people with an abiding interest in forests.”
According to M P Singh, Director ,Forest Education, the e-journal would also act as a one-stop solution for field foresters on the lookout for latest updates from the world of practical forestry. “The journal will strive to hone the communication skills of foresters by encouraging them to read and write more,”, he told The Pioneer here.
“It will serve as a bridge between the senior and young foresters,” he added.Another reason for bringing out this journal is to connect foresters and society as foresters have mostly been reticent about their work in ensuring ecological security for future generations. This exposure of the public to the e-journal will build a better relationship between foresters and communities. Contributions would be invited from trainees of the forestry training institutions /academies about their study tours all over the country and from senior officers in SFDs ,SFTIs and ICFRE institutions .Articles on forestry and forest management by senior foresters represent decades of experience and would guide budding foresters in practical forest management .
“Field Forester” will be distributed electronically. However , the copyright for the journal will be available to all the State Forest Departments for translating and printing in the regional language for wider dissemination.there will be an Editorial Advisory Board to aid and advise the Editorial Board.The Editorial Advisory Board consists of Dr SS Negi (Chief Advisor), Dr DK Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Forests (Advisor), MP Singh (Member Secretary and Editor in Chief, Editorial Board) and principals and directors of various state forest academies and colleges .
Surabhi Rai, Principal of Central Academy for State Forest service, Dehradun, said a training workshop was held at the academy (concluding on August 8) for in-service officers from different states who graduated in 1986-88 from this academy. As part of this workshop, a session on communication skills including writing skills was held where participants were asked to pen down articles about their experiences in forestry. This was done with a view to encouraging them to document their achievements ,observations and experiences . These articles would be included in “Field Forester”, she said. This session was held on August 7. The workshop was attended by 28 officers from various states including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala.