The first forest university in NDIA will open soon. The University of Forestry (UOF) Act 2022 was passed by the Telangana legislative assembly on Tuesday. The country's first institution of its kind will be the University of Forestry (UOF). This will be the third forestry university worldwide; now, the only two are in China and Russia.
The Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) in Hyderabad will become a full-fledged university according to a decision made by the Telangana government. Additional 18 programmes, including PhD, diploma, and certificate courses in urban forestry, nursery management, agro-forestry, enhancing tribal livelihoods, forest entrepreneurship, climate-smart forestry, and managing forest parks, are proposed to begin after the FCRI is converted to a university.
The university will collaborate and network with comparable organisations to provide a top-notch education. By giving the farmers thorough instruction, the university will support action research.
Additionally, the university will now have 726 students enrolled.
The FCRI currently has 366 seats. The number of employees will increase by 92, bringing the total to 210 from the current 118.
The University's Chancellor, who will choose the Vice Chancellor, will be the Chief Minister of the State. 268.83 billion seedlings have already been planted by the Telangana government as part of its flagship programme, Telangana Ku Haritha Haram. According to India State of Forest (ISFR 2021) by Forest Survey of India, the state's green cover has expanded by 7.7% and its forest cover by 6.85% during the last eight years as a result of the government's persistent efforts.
According to the government, the university's goal is to educate skilled forestry professionals who will conserve and manage forest resources sustainably. It will also promote research and develop effective techniques for plantation crop growth in order to meet domestic and industrial demand.
In addition to traditional forestry operations, the university will endeavour to create Agro-Forestry models that are suitable for various Agro-ecological settings to lessen strain on natural forests, improve the economic standing of farming communities.