About KFRI

The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) established in 1975 by the Government of Kerala under its Science and Technology Department, is an organization dedicated to research in tropical forestry and biodiversity. During 2003, when the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) was constituted, KFRI became a part of the Council along with five other R&D Centres of the State. KSCSTE is an autonomous body under the Science, Technology & Environment Department of the Government of Kerala.

The administration and management of KFRI are vested with the management Committee (MC) chaired by the Institute's Director. The Committee approves and monitors research activities besides managing administrative and financial matters. Another vital body responsible for overseeing and guiding the formulation and implementation of various research programmes is the Research Council (RC) comprising eminent scientists of the Country in forestry research. Research Council also monitors the quality and content of research undertaken and provides guidance for improvement.

The scientific manpower of KFRI is organized into seven Promramme Divisions encompassing different Disciplines and three supporting divisions for the effective implementation of multidisciplinary research programmes in forestry and to disseminate the research findings to the stakeholders. Each Programme Division is headed by a Programme Coordinator. The nine Programme Divisions are:

1. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
2. Forest Genetics and Biotechnology (FGB)
3. Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (FEBC)
4. Wood Science and Technology WST)
5. Forestry and Human Dimensions (FHD)
6. Forest Health (FH)
7. Forest Management Information System (FMIS)
8. Extension and Training (ET)
9. Library and Information (LI)

A Research Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Unit is also functioning to facilitate and monitor research in various Disciplines.

TheKerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) established in 1975 by the Government of Kerala as an autonomous Institute under its Science and Technology Department, is an organization dedicated to research on tropical forestry and biodiversity. During 2003 when Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) was constituted, KFRI was brought under the Council along with five other R&D Centres of Kerala. KSCSTE is a registered society and an autonomous body under the Science, Technology & Environment Department, Government of Kerala.

KFRI is strategically located in Central Kerala at Peechi, about 20 km east of Thrissur City. 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 northern 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 Headquarters 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.

The KFRI main campus at Peechi is spread in the midst of sylvan surroundings. The buildings and the layout have been designed by the reputed architect Mr. Laury W. Baker. The campus has spacious laboratories, library and other facilities attached to various Divisions. The Divisions are well equipped to undertake research of disciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature.

Nilambur Subcentre and Palappilly Field Research Stations have facilities for laboratory work and field studies including 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 a nature trail.

KFRI has one of the best scientific libraries in Kerala with over 14,600 books, 6500 back volumes of journals 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 serves as a storehouse of number of databases on forestry.

The Institute has a Local Area Network (LAN) connecting the computers of various Divisions and to the Internet.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.

Management Committee

The Institute's Management Committee approves implementation of projects.

Management Committee Members

Research Council (RC)

Advisory body of eminent scientists responsible for overall direction of research, programme identification, approval and evaluation of the work.

Research Council Members