The significance of forest in Indian civilization and their relevance in Indian economy during both pre and post independence era probably went unnoticed. The forestry education in India was introduced after the recommendation of National Commission on Agriculture during 1976. Forestry education has now been established as one of the important academic pursuits from the point of view of development of proper human resource to be engaged in research, development, and management of forests.

The reorientation of forestry education in India is very necessary. Since India is rural based country, the importance of this subject is being felt much more. Though we cannot increase the forest area being responsible for stable environment, balanced ecology and fulfilling our domestic requirement in the form of forest produce, we have the only alternative to increase the trees cover. Till now, we have been depending on reserve forest, which has been managed by professional foresters trained in various forestry training institutes of the country. Now, the country needs Forestry Graduates and Scientists for all around development of forests in the country particularly in rural areas.

The great worldwide upsurge in interest in forestry is undoubtedly to be welcomed by the professionals, for it has for the most part, a beneficial effect. Now, it is well proved fact that as per the guide line of National Forest Policy, 1988 that 1/3 of the geographical area of the country should be under forest/tree cover for stable environment, balanced ecology as well as to meet the demands of various produce of the forests; we will have to make mass afforestation in rural areas in addition to rejuvenation of 70% degraded reserve forest. Seeing the very huge target, the limited personnel trained in various forestry training centers cannot alone do this job. Therefore, to supplement the gap of forestry personnel, Agricultural Universities and Colleges should come forward. It is being realized that there is greater demand of forestry experts everywhere in rural areas developmental programme. The unavailability of forestry experts is also one of the main reasons of poor afforestation development in rural areas. Now the country should take much active initiative to produce Forestry Graduates in Agricultural Universities and Colleges and post them in Krishi Gyan Kendra, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and Agricultural Research Stations to achieve the afforestation goal. It is in this context that the introduction of Forestry B.Sc. syllabus in a number of Agricultural Universities in India assumes its profound importance. It may prove in the long run a development in every bit as important as the original decision to form the Indian Forest Service.

To start B.Sc. (Forestry) four-year courses in Agricultural Universities and Colleges it is also very economical because out of 161 credits, 64 credits (20 of Basic Sciences and Humanities and 44 credits of Agricultural and closely related disciplines) are taught in B.Sc. (Ag.) and for these courses there will be no burden of additional faculty members. For 97 credits of Forestry sciences courses additional Forestry specialized/trained personnel will be required. Though Govt. of India has already taken initiative to establish Department of Forestry in Agricultural Universities but degree courses in Forestry is still running in very few Universities.

During 2002, with the assurance of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun to provide some grants for development of infrastructure for Department of Forestry in this university, the Department of Forestry was established with the start of 4 years B.Sc. (Forestry) degree course. ICFRE, Dehradun is providing some nominal contingency grant annually so far.

As per technical programme approved for the year 2004-05, nine plus trees of Jatropha were selected and their seed was collected. Out of which, two samples were sent for zonal trials. Due to unavailability of old planting material for Jatropha plantation in the jurisdiction area, there were only limited number of plus trees selected in the districts Sitapur, Etawah, Kausambi, Allahabad and Kanpur dehat.

The material collected and received from different participating centres was sown in the nursery at the Regional Research Station, Daleep Nagar, Kanpur Dehat.

The seed received from different participating centres has been already sown in the nursery. The seedlings will be transplanted in the first week of July as per the technical programme.

The material received from the participating centers of zone 4 has been sown in the nursery for raising seedling which would be transplanted in the month of July as per the approved technical programme.

The trial will be carried out at the Regional Research Station, Daleep Nagar under sodic soil conditions as per the approved technical programme.

As per the technical programme approved for the year 2004-05, twenty-one plus trees of Karanja were selected and their seed was collected. The accession No. - CSK-6, CSK-7 CSK-8 CSK-9 and CSK-11 has already been sent to NBPGR and TERI, New Delhi for Cryo preservation and oil extraction. Accessions Nos. - CSK-6 and CSK-1 were sent to four participating centres for zonal trials. The plus trees have been selected in the districts Sitapur, Kanpur nagar, Unnao and Kanpur Dehat.

The material collected and received from different participating centres was sown in the nursery at the Regional Research Station, Daleep Nagar.

Seed samples from different participating centres were received and sown in the nursery bed.

The seeds received from different participating centres have already been sown in the nursery. The seedlings will be transplanted in the first week of July as per the technical programme.

The material received from the participating centers of zone 4 and sown in nursery for raising seedlings would be transplanted in the field during July.

The trial will be carried out at the Regional Research Station, Daleep Nagar under sodic soil conditions as per the approved technical programme.