Forestry Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope

Updated on Aug 9, 2024 11:59 IST

Forestry courses are a way to gain expertise and training in the field of forestry. Forestry students learn how to manage forests, new and existing plantations, and other natural resources. Throughout the course, they receive both theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of forestry and related fields.

Those who want to pursue a career in this field are required to be physically fit, have an adventurous spirit, be courageous and enthusiastic, and be able to adjust to new environments. Additionally, they should have an interest in environmental preservation and global issues. Students can choose to pursue a range of Forestry course options like BSc Forestry, MSc Forestry, Forestry Certification, or PhD in Forestry.

Forestry scope in India is vast as students get opportunities to work in government departments such as wildlife, forest, national parks & sanctuaries, as well as in private organizations. The average salary of a Forest Range Officer is INR 8.6 LPA in India and the salary package increases with time, experience, and expertise.

Sher-e-Kashmir University, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Birsa Agricultural University, Phonics Group of Institutions, and Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology are among the Forestry colleges in India with one of the highest placement records at INR 28 LPA. Interested candidates can continue reading the article to get more details on Forestry scope and salary in India.

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Reasons to Pursue a Career in Forestry

Here are some reasons why pursuing a career in the Forestry field can benefit students as well as the globe:

  • Forests have accounted for 80% of global biodiversity and 31% of the planet's land area. In addition to providing us with a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, and fungi to eat, clean water to drink, and raw materials like timber to build homes, furniture, and even skyscrapers, forests are essential to human survival.

Students can significantly contribute to preserving the biodiversity of our planet, as well as guaranteeing future generations' access to food and resources, by pursuing a career in forest conservation.

  • Despite not being as well known as some other Science-based majors like Engineering, Chemistry, or Wildlife Biology, Forestry is a fascinating subject to study for students and offers a wide range of specializations and career paths. It's also a very intellectually demanding field. The options are endless when it comes to pursuing a career in Forestry.
  • Most qualified Foresters choose to work for the federal government or a local, state, or provincial unit of government when choosing where to work. Good pay can be obtained from government work, particularly at the federal level, where professional Foresters make an average of INR 8 LPA. Many non-profit and environmental advocacy groups also hire Forestry graduates if they're not interested in working for the government.

Top Career Profiles in Forestry

The field of Forestry holds many opportunities and demands. Students have opportunities in both public and private departments, including those dealing with wildlife, forests, national parks, and sanctuaries. As a result, graduates of Forestry programs will have many options for well-paying employment following graduation. Here are some Job opportunities in Forestry Jobs Government and Private, along with details mentioned below.

Job Profiles

Job Description

Average Salary

Farm Manager

They plan finances and production to maintain farm progress against budget parameters.

INR 7.2 LPA

Retail Agri-Credit Manager

They assess loan applications, which involves determining the financial health and creditworthiness of potential borrowers, as well as suitable loan amounts and interest rates.

INR 6 LPA

Nursery Manager

They provide overall management of the nursery ensuring the setting fulfils all legal and statutory requirements.

INR 4 LPA

Assistant Professor

They deliver lectures and lessons, prepare course materials, and evaluate students' performance through exams, assignments, and other assessments.

INR 5.5 LPA

Forest Range Officer

They are responsible for the forests, environment and wildlife-related issues of a Forest Range within a state or union territory of India.

INR 8.6 LPA

Forest Guard

They patrol forests to detect any discrepancies and maintain stability.

INR 2.2 LPA

Researcher

They collect, record and analyze data. Interpret data analysis results and draw inferences and conclusions.

INR 7.7 LPA

Lab Technologist

They test and analyze body fluids, such as blood, urine, and tissue samples.

INR 2.9 LPA

Animal Breeder

Their role involves selecting and breeding animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring.

INR 5.9 LPA

Plant Breeder

They are responsible for the research of seed characteristics and strive to improve the seed characteristics that are of the best quality for the plant.

INR 5 LPA

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Emerging Trends in the Forestry Field

Emerging Forestry trends utilizing technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things to make the industry more efficient and sustainable. Here are some growing trends industries are adopting:

  • Forest Mapping: The most significant technological development in the forestry sector is forest mapping, which speeds up climate tech solutions and permits forest conservation and resource analysis. It offers data-driven insights on tree cover, woodland resources, and landscape developments.
  • Tree Monitoring System: Authorities can monitor and count the number of trees in the forest thanks to tree monitoring systems. To measure different eco-physiological and biological parameters that indicate the health of tree foliage, foresters affix sensors to specific trees within the forest.
  • Forest Regeneration: By using artificial or natural methods, advanced forest regeneration solutions promote the renewal of forests. These methods are supplemented by tech-enabled solutions like data analytics and artificial intelligence to maximise nutrient allocation, enhance seedling dispersal, and forecast yield.

Forestry Core Industries

Forestry students can seek career opportunities in various industries in both private and government sectors. In the table mentioned below, candidates can find the core industries hiring for Forestry graduates:

Forestry Core Industries

Forest Departments

Wildlife Department

Zoological Parks

National Parks and Sanctuaries

Horticulture Departments

Forest Nurseries

Wildlife Research Institutes

College & Universities

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Top Recruiters for Forestry Students

Numerous organisations provide employment options for Forestry students for various job roles such as Researcher, Technologist, Breeder, Manager, and more. Along with a good salary package, students gain skills, experience, and expertise by working with such companies. Here are some top Forestry recruiters in India, candidates can seek employment for:

Top Recruiters for Forestry Students

Indian Forest Service

Parle Products

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

Hatsun Agro Product

PepsiCo

Amul Dairy

Nestle

ITC Limited Foods Division

Food Corporation of India

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry

Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.

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Competitive Exams After Forestry

There are several well-known government competitive exams to be eligible for government employment. Students who wish to secure job positions with the federal or state governments can apply for these exams after completing a Forestry course.

UGC-NET Exam

IBPS SO Exam

NABARD Grade-A Exam

State Forest Exam

UPSC-IFSC (Indian Forest Services) Exam

Best Forestry Colleges for Placements (in India)

There are more than 90 Forestry colleges in India, along with offering advanced learning opportunities, these colleges offer the best placement options for students who wish to work in the same field. Here are some popular Forestry college options with high placement records:

Best Forestry Colleges for Placements

Average Salary Offered

SKUAST Placements

INR 28.07 LPA

IIFM Bhopal Placements

INR 10 LPA

Faculty Of Forestry Placements

INR 8.46 LPA

Birsa Agricultural University Placements

INR 6.4 – 8.09 LPA

Phonics Group of Institutions Placements

INR 8 LPA

Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Placements

INR 7.08 LPA

College of Forestry, Ponnampet Placements

INR 7 LPA

Manipur University Placements

INR 6.9 LPA

JNU Placements

INR 6 LPA

CCS HAU Placements

INR 6 LPA

Note: The information is taken from the official body and may vary.

Links useful for Forestry Career:

Career Guidance for Forest Officer

Forestry Career FAQs

Q. What are the career options after BSc Forestry?

A.Some of the top job profiles one can look forward to after a BSc Forestry are as follows:

  • Forester
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Forest Ecologist

Q. BSc in Agriculture or BSc in Forestry which has better scope?

A. Both degrees have average to good scope in their respective fields, but the scope and opportunities can vary based on several factors, such as the current job market trends, personal interests, location, and specific skills acquired during the program.

Q. What's it like being a Forest Engineer?

A. Your salary package in this job role will be very promising. See, your duty as a Forest Engineer will be to help with land management and forestry. In this job role you also have to choose the best routes for rail or road networks and manage engineering projects that are located in or close to forests. Best wishes.

Q. What can we do after BSC forestry?

A. Here are some options:

  • Forestry Technician/Technologist.
  • Forest Manager
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Research Scientist
  • Urban Forester
  • Conservation Officer
  • Forest Products Industry

Q. What is the salary of an Indian Forest Service officer?

A. All Group A officers, including the officers of the Indian Forest Service, get about INR 50,000 to INR 60,000 per month as pay when they join the Service. However, the total pay depends on the place of posting also as the house rent or other allowances may be higher at some stations.

Q. Which is a better job LDC or Forester?

A. Here's a comparison to help you decide:

LDC Perks:

  • Stable Work Environment
  • Advancement in supply chain management or logistics.
  • Gain skills in project management and analysis.

Forester perks

  • Chances to work in natural settings
  • Inclusion in conservation and sustainable practices
  • Fieldwork to research and policy-making.

Q. Which is a better career option, agriculture officer or forest range officer?

A. Forest department is a regulatory department hence a Range officer has more powers than an agriculture officer. Most of the forests in India are owned by the government and the forest department has to protect them. The agriculture department is development-oriented as almost all agriculture in India is in private hands. You may make a choice depending on your aptitude.

The job of a range officer involves dealing with criminals and the post of a Range officer is a uniformed post like that of a police officers. It also involves staying in remote areas and a lot of travel. Range officers do development-oriented work also such as plantations and the construction of roads and even buildings. The fact that the agricultural officer has a better scale also means that this post is one level above the Range officer in the hierarchy.

Q. What can I do after an MSc in Forestry in India?

Further Studies

  • PhD Programs
  • Specialized Certifications

Employment 

  • Government Jobs
  • Private Sector
  • Research
Table of content
  • Popular Forestry Courses Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Forestry Courses Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Forestry Courses UG Courses
  • Popular Forestry Courses PG Courses

Popular Forestry Courses Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Forestry Courses Colleges in India. Learn more about these Forestry Courses colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2.14 L - 4 L

#38 NIRF

2 Courses
18.2 K - 27.5 K
2.49 - 3.05 LPA

#22 NIRF

1 Course
4.4 L
5.1 LPA
76.88 K
4.2 LPA

#3 NIRF

1 Course
6 K
3 LPA
5 Courses
22.4 K - 48.8 K
5.36 - 5.61 LPA

#19 NIRF

Popular Private Forestry Courses Colleges in India

2.14 L - 4 L

#38 NIRF

6 Courses
1.64 L - 3.49 L
2.7
2 Courses
1.6 L - 3.2 L
3.5
1 Course
2 L
8 LPA
1.2 L - 2.88 L
1 Course
3.2 L
3.5

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Forestry Courses. Students interested in pursuing a career on Forestry Courses, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Mar '26

CUET 2026 Application Process

TENTATIVE

May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Nov '25

UPCATET Counselling 2025: Campus Reporting PG Can...

TENTATIVE

Nov '25

UPCATET Campus Counselling 2025 for PG

TENTATIVE

15 Nov ' 25

OUAT 2025 Round 4 Campus Reporting for UG, PG & PhD

24 Nov ' 25

OUAT 2025 Campus Reporting for UG, PG & PhD for F...

Popular Forestry Courses UG Courses

Following are the most popular Forestry Courses UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Forestry Courses PG Courses

Following are the most popular Forestry Courses PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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