Department of Forestry

, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola has a fairly long history and has the distinction of being the first in starting B.Sc. Forestry degree programme in Maharashtra state. To cater the need of future research based forestry development and demand of specialized technical personnel of this region, four year forestry degree programme has been started in this University from 1985-86 with the assistance of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The B.Sc. Forestry degree programme was started in 14 State Agricultural Universities in the country.

The objective of the forestry degree programme is to cater need of future research based demands of especially technical personnel. It is an apt decision since more than 50 per cent of the forest area of the state falls in the Vidarbha region. B.Sc (Forestry) degree programme was started in Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola by establishing the Department of Forestry under the faculty of Agriculture in the year 1985-86 with the assistance of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi with an intake capacity of 20 students per year.

Courses Offered

=> Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Wood Science & Technology)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Medicinal & Aromatic Plants)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Agro forestry)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Plantation Technology)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Forest Biotechnology)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Forest Genetic Resources)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Watershed Management)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Eco- Tourism)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Environmental Management)
=> Master Of Science (M.Sc.) Forestry (Forest Business Management)

Research & Development / Topic

Research Activities/Achievements

The Department of Forestry, Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola falls in the agro-ecological Western Vidharba zone (Semiarid Lava Platue and Central high lands). The activities of research and extension are based on the needs of the farmers, state forest department, forest based industries, funding agencies and other end users. The research and extension activities are carried out by the faculty members and students of this department.

The research programme undertaken by the staff members of the Department of Forestry are discussed in the research planning meeting of Horticulture, Forestry and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants of Annual Research Review Committee headed by the Director of Research of the University. The research recommendations are finalized in Joint Agriculture Research Committee before recommendations are made available to the end users.

The Ad-hoc research project funded by National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board (NOVOD) and State Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra are also taken-up for research and training programme.

Infrastructure

Specialized Laboratories/ Facilities

The department has developed good laboratories/ facilities for imparting teaching like

=> Mist chamber
=> Mini computer center
=> Nursery
=> Wood working workshop
=> Sophisticated Equipments

In addition to the common equipments the laboratories are equipped with sophisticated equipments like

=> BOD incubator
=> Centrifuge
=> Global Positioning System (GPS)
=> LCD Projector
=> Wood working machines
=> Laminar Air flow.
=> Hot Press
=> Boiler
=> Wood Grinder/ Pulvinizer
=> Wood Strength Testing Machine
=> Field and tracking equipments
=> Trent and camping equipments
=> Kjeldal unit
=> Laptop
=> Colored printer
=> Digital camera
=> Scanner
=> Photostat machine
=> FAX machine
=> EPBX unit
=> Charcoal unit
=> Bamboo treatment kit