The Division conducts fundamental and applied research in sustainable management of natural and plantation forests. It comprises of Silviculture, Biotechnology, Genetics, Tree Physiology and Soil Science deciplines. Thrust areas of research of the Division are improved nursery and silvicultural practices, production of better clones of plantation species and sustainable forest management based on scientific water and soil studies. Development of cost-effective micropropagation protocols for important forestry species, marker assisted selection, DNA finger-printing, gene mapping and population genetics, environmental biotechnology and biodiversity, bacterial symbionts and their molecular characterization, assessment of genetic diversity of forest species, selection of plus clones and genetic improvement, studies on breeding system and gene flow, quality planting stock production and nursery practices of forestry species, eco-restoration and afforestation of degraded sites, evaluation of factors affecting growth and enhancement of plantation productivity, soil nutrient management for teak, eucalypt and bamboo plantations/nurseries, vegetative propagation of bamboo, teak, eucalypts and medicinal plants, resource enhancement, and scientific management of existing resources and transfer of technology for value added utilization of bamboos and environmental physiology, especially, water use, photosynthesis and microclimate are some of the major areas of activities of the Division.