2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Hence, our immediate concerns should be twofold: expansion of global forest
cover to the optimum level in order to maintain a habitable environment,
and conservation of forests and biodiversity for human good.
As a forestry research organization, KFRI has been moving forward to fulfill
its mission by taking up research and extension programmes related to forest
and biodiversity conservation, plantation forestry, ecosystem dynamics and
rehabilitation, pest and disease control, forest products and socio-economics.
The research programmes covered diverse areas such as RET species, mangrove
vegetation, medicinal plants, palms, bamboos, wildlife management,
livelihood enhancement of forest-dependent communities, coastal green belt
establishment, plantation productivity, control of forest pests, diseases and
weeds, etc. The extension and training activities included nursery pest/disease
management, timber testing, plant identification, seedling distribution,
women empowerment and several training and educational programmes on
diverse aspects of forestry. As in previous years the Institute continued to
contribute its expertise on matters related to the State's ecology and
environment.
During the year the Institute received Rs. 881 lakhs as grant-in-aid from the
Council (Govt.of Kerala) of which Rs. 464 lakhs was under Plan Grant and
the rest under Non-Plan. The funding received from external agencies towards
specific projects was to the tune of Rs. 351 lakhs. Funds from Plan Grants
were utilized for research and extension projects and for infrastructure
development.
Dr. K.V. Sankaran
Director