A. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR IFS
        The professional training of IFS Probationers recruited by Union Public Service Commission follows the sandwich pattern since 1994. In the sandwich pattern,  On-the-Job Training (OJT) is sandwiched between Professional and Advance Phases. The Probationers join for a month at  IGNFA around August every year.  During this short period, they are briefly introduced to their profession and effort is made to inculcate a concern and love for nature and a sense of belonging to the natural world.  After this they  proceed for Foundational Course (FC) at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, for four months.  On completion of the FC, they come back to IGNFA in December and  undergo Professional Phase for 19 months in the Academy where core forestry subjects are taught. Thereafter they join their respective state cadres where they undergo On-the-Job Training  for eight to nine months, learning practical applications of the subjects taught to them in the Academy. On completion of the OJT, they come back to the Academy for a  3 to 4 months long Advance Phase during which they present a project prepared by them during the OJT and take up modules on specialized modern forestry skills.
 
        The training sessions cover multidisciplinary forest management subjects. The courses in the Academy are delivered through a series of lectures, practical exercises, tutorials, case studies, panel discussions, field visits, excursions, symposia, seminars, guest talks and counselor group meetings. Subjects from earth sciences, bio-sciences, silviculture and management are spread over 1200 sessions under 32 courses. These courses are covered by the Academy faculty and guest faculty drawn from reputed national level institutes located at Dehradun, like Forest Research Institute, Wildlife Institute of India, Forest Survey of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Central Soil & Water Conservation Research Institute, Survey of India and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing. The Academy also networks with other national institutions of repute for specific inputs. These are National Institute of Rural Development (Hyderabad), Indian Institute of Public Administration (New Delhi), Roorkee University, Indian Institute of Forest Management (Bhopal), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (Dehradun) and Institute of Technology Management (Mussoorie).  The language faculty from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, take up the language sessions for Probationers allotted to different states. They have to qualify in Regional and National (Hindi) Language tests. Probationers attend one week attachment with Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training at New Delhi to acquaint themselves with the business of the Parliament.

        There is a well furnished Bio-Sciences Laboratory where Probationers are given practical training of Biology, Soil Science and Wood Anatomy. They carry out Engineering drawings and plotting of Survey and Road Alignment exercises in drawing hall equipped with latest drafting tables.

        Extensive study tours spread over seven months in different stretches of the 24 months stay in the Academy, are conducted in various bio-geographical regions of the country, so that the Probationers are able to study different conservation and development strategies and new experiments on forest management all over the country. Occasional excursions close to  Dehradun are also organized on holidays  to places of educational interest, institutes, forest areas, research centres etc.
 The tours are organized to various parts of India as given below:-

1. West India covering Haryana , Rajasthan and Gujarat.

2. North India covering Punjab and Himachal Pradesh
3. South India covering Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh,  Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala.
4. East India covering Orissa, West Bengal, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
5. Introductory tour to Chakrata, Dehradun at an altitude of 2200 m to apprise officers to forest ecosystems
6. Working Plan tour to write appropriate plans prescribing treatment of forest crops and socio-economic development of fringe inhabitation
7. Watershed Management tour to formulate an integrated watershed development plan.
8. Wildlife tour  for understanding bio-social dynamics of protected area management and studying parameters of wildlife assessment.
9. Excursions on ecosystem dynamics , soil profiles and conservation , geology , biometry, inventory of crops.
10. PRA tools testing in fringe area villages and formulating participatory management plans or micro-plans.

         The motto of the erstwhile Indian Forest College was "Mens sana in corporo sano" i.e. sound mind in sound body. The Probationers undertake rigorous Physical Training exercises every morning in the New Forest Campus. Yoga sessions during the Advance Phase are also organized.  A number of outdoor games are played every evening and ample facilities are provided in various games for the probationers to specialize. The two Gymnasiums established within the campus are equipped with latest machinery  for developing physical fitness. The Squash court, two Billiards room, two Pool rooms and Badminton hall provide opportunities for indoor games.

        Apart from various academic subjects, exercises and languages, Probationers undergo weapon training, swimming and horse riding at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), situated next door. Hands on training on First Aid, Motor Driving and Motor Mechanics is imparted which is followed by qualifying tests. Forest Administration and Forest Accounts have been introduced since 1994 as qualifying subject.

        Probationers have their own club which is run by elected representatives under the overall guidance of a faculty member. All probationers are members of the club and organize the following activities:

- Photography Competitions

- Inter-house Indoor and Outdoor Games

- Athletic Competitions

- Film shows

- Cultural and other Entertainment Programmes

- Publication of House Journals and Magazines

- Nature treks

- Para Sailing and River Rafting

An Assembly Hall with an audience capacity of 600, provides a centre for cultural activities for the Probationers.

         The Old and New Hostels with a capacity of 65 and 150 rooms respectively, provide a comfortable living space for the Probationers. Both the hostels are equipped with cable TV transmission, a well appointed lounge, Pool tables, Table Tennis Units, intercom, and Pay Phone facility.

         The officers dine in a well equipped mess observing prescribed  norms of dress and conduct while dinning. The officers’ mess is run by the Probationers and is located within the hostel premises. The mess committee is elected and  functions under the overall guidance of the Vice-President Mess, who is a faculty member nominated by the Director.  Every Probationer under training is a regular member of the mess. The mess is the place for interaction, formal and informal dinners and get-togethers. Probationers observe mess discipline and service etiquette throughout their stay at the Academy. The FRI hospital on the campus extends medical facilities to Probationers and staff of IGNFA. There is a Post Office, a branch of Union Bank of India and Central Bank of India, a canteen, a tailor’s shop and general store on the campus, to meet immediate requirements of officers.
 

COUNSELING

        The Faculty of IGNFA includes 13 IFS officers from different parts of the country. They counsel the Probationers on professional issues and behavioral skills throughout their stay in the Academy. They also visit them during OJT to evaluate them in co-ordination with the Trainer and Mentor of the Probationers in the state. The counselors also help to develop confidence and art of public speaking in the Probationers.

        There are various awards and prizes which are annually given to Probationers for their outstanding performance in various activities of training. Provision of Gold and Silver medals has been made for the topper and most talented forester of the batch since 1991, besides donor prizes for many subjects. Academy also conducts a number of competitions and contests leading to award of trophies and prizes in sports and other fields.

        The Officers belonging to the State Forest Services get subsequently recruited to IFS.  Under the direction of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi, the Skill Upgradation Training Programme is imparted in the Academy to officers  inducted into IFS from SFS since September 1996.  This is done  to give an All India perspective of the service and update the knowledge and skill of the officers. The Academy has already conducted 18 such training courses. The contents of this module cover a wide area of forest management to update their knowledge and develop skills. 

ii) Compulsory Training Programme for IFS officers

        The need for updating knowledge and skills of IFS officers on specific professional issues was realized in the mid eighties.  As a consequence to that, short courses sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forests addressing several important contemporary issues are organized by about  30 institutions every year since 1986. These are short duration courses of one, two or three weeks duration.  The Academy has been organizing one week compulsory training on Policy and Legal Issues in Forestry for the In-Service IFS officers for some years now. 

iii) Promotion Linked In-service Courses (AFM Course)

        IGNFA is also conducting training courses for a few weeks for officers who complete 9 years, 16 years and 20 years in the IFS.  These courses are designed to address the knowledge and skill  needs of the officers for taking up the jobs that await them after they are promoted to higher levels.  During the year 2004-2005,  a total of 10 such courses are being conducted for IFS officers of the 1994, 1987 and 1983 batch.