|
About KFRI |
|
|
 The
Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) is established under
the Science and Technology Policy adopted by the Government of
Kerala as an autonomous institution to undertake research in
areas like forestry, biodiversity etc., that are vital to the
development of the Kerala State. The Institute was registered
as a society on 3rd July 1975 under the Travancore-Cochin
Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, 1955. The
institution fulfills a number of economic, social and
environmental objectives set by the Government. During 2003
KFRI amalgamated with the Kerala State Council for Science,
Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) along with five other R&D
Centres in Kerala. Kerala State Council for Science,
Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) is a registered society
and an autonomous body under the Science, Technology &
Environment Department, Government of Kerala.
|
| Location |
|
KFRI is strategically located
in the midst of a tropical forest at Peechi, about 20 km east
of Thrissur, in Central Kerala, India. The main campus extends
over an area of 28 ha, part of the picturesque reserve forest
of the Peechi Forest Range. The Institute has a Sub-Centre at
Nilambur in North Kerala and a Field Research Station at
Velupadam, Palapilly in Thrissur District. |
 |
Kerala State
Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) |
|
Chief Minister of Kerala is the
President of the Council and Dr E P Yesodharan, a renowned
scientist is the Executive Vice President and Ex-officio
Principal Secretary to Science, Technology & Environment
Department and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
Council. The Head Quarters of the Council is located in
Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 044, Kerala
State. The Governing Body and Executive Committee is well
represented by senior government officials and eminent
scientists. |
Infrastructure |
|
The KFRI main campus at Peechi
is designed and constructed by the reputed architect Mr. Laury
W. Baker in his unique low-cost style. It has laboratories,
library and other facilities attached to various Divisions.
The Divisions are well equipped to undertake researches of
disciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature.
Nilambur
Subcentre and Palappilly Field Research Centre have facilities
for laboratory work and raising nurseries and experimental
plantations. The Subcentre at Nilambur has a unique Teak
Museum displaying artifacts and utility items of teak wood,
scientific information on various aspects of teak cultivation
and wood utilization. In addition, the museum has a library of
world literature on teak, a modern auditorium and nature trail
displaying various wild animals.
KFRI has one of the
best scientific libraries in Kerala with over 14,600 books,
6500 back volumes of journal and 7500 reprints of scientific
papers covering all disciplines related to forestry and allied
subjects. There are also computer facilities, modern microfilm
reader-cum-printer, photographic and art sections, a Bamboo
Information Centre (BIC-India), etc. A CD Server connected to
LAN serve as a store house of number of databases on forestry.
The
Institute has a Local Area Network (LAN) connecting the
computers of various Divisions and to the Internet. |
Facilities |
|
The Institute has well equipped
laboratories to carry out modern research in tropical
forestry to cater to the needs of various stakeholders.
Some of the major facilities are: |
 |
Herbarium: Represented by more than
25,000 specimens of the flora of Kerala, recognized by
International Association of Plant Taxonomists with the
acronym KFRI. |
|
Medicinal Plants Garden: Live
reference collection of about 350 medicinal plant species
of the forests of Kerala. |
|
Orchidarium and Fern House:
Live-collection of 52 wild orchids and 30 fern species of
Kerala forests. |
|
Butterfly Garden: Park attracting
and sustaining over 70 varieties of colourful species. |
|
Insect Collection: Reference
collection of about 1000 insect species of the Western
Ghats of India. |
|
Wildlife Museum: Reference
collection of more than 400 specimens of fresh water
fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals of the Western
Ghats. |
|
Wood Treatment Plant: Pilot-scale
facility to assess treatability and treatment schedules of
different timbers. |
|
Biotechnology and Tissue Culture
Facility: Sophisticated facility for molecular
characterization and micro-propagation of forest plants. |
|
Nursery and Field Trial Facilities:
Attached to Subcentre, Nilambur and Field Research
Centre, Velupadam, for laboratory experiments and nursery,
species and plantation trials. |
|
Teak Museum: The only one of its
kind in the world with exhibits on history, research and
development of Teak. |
|
Bambusetum: Live-collection of over
65 native and exotic bamboo species of the world. |
|
Cane Germplasm: Live-collection of
30 species of indigenous and exotic canes. |
|
Xylarium: Collection of over 600
authentically identified wood samples from Kerala and
different parts of the world. |
|
Organization |
|
Director is the head of the
Institution. The Administration Division is headed by the
Registrar. Research Divisions are organized into structural
units called Programme Divisions. Each Programme Division
headed by a Senior Scientist designated as Programme
Co-ordinator. At present there are 51 scientists. Most of the
scientists are with extensive research background in India and
abroad. In addition there are 19 technical and 87
administrative supporting staff. |
Administration |
|
|
