Forest Ecology & Climate Change Division

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Introduction

The Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division conduct multidisciplinary research to address land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss, and climate change, with a special focus on the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The division develops scientific strategies for ecological restoration, sustainable forest and natural resource management, and enhancement of ecosystem resilience.

Its major research areas include carbon sequestration, soil health assessment, restoration of degraded lands, saline soils, mined areas, wastelands, and sand dunes, climate change adaptation, and Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) documentation and conservation. The division also undertakes research on grassland restoration, fodder development, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and water requirements of tree species to improve plantation success under water-limited conditions.

In addition, the division monitors and evaluates afforestation and ecological restoration programmes by assessing plantation survival, growth performance, species suitability, soil and moisture conservation measures, and carbon sequestration potential. It also provides technical consultancy for green belt development, landscape planning, ecological restoration, reclamation of degraded lands, and preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), offering scientific guidance on species selection, soil and water management, and sustainable plantation models. Through its integrated research, monitoring, consultancy, and field-based interventions, the division contributes to ecological restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term environmental sustainability.

Objectives

1. To undertake research on forest ecology, climate change, and ecosystem processes for developing scientific strategies to enhance the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of forest ecosystems, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions.

2. To develop technologies for restoration and sustainable management of degraded ecosystems including wastelands, mined areas, saline soils, grasslands, ravines, and sand dunes through appropriate vegetation models and soil-water conservation practices.

3. To assess and conserve forest biodiversity and ecosystem services through studies on Forest Genetic Resources (FGR), carbon sequestration, soil health, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and climate change impacts for supporting conservation and sustainable resource management.

4. To develop and evaluate sustainable plantation and afforestation technologies by studying species suitability, water requirements, irrigation strategies, plantation performance, and ecological restoration models under environmentally stressed conditions.

5. To provide scientific and technical support for environmental management through monitoring and evaluation of afforestation programmes, consultancy services, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), green belt development, landscape planning, and capacity building for government agencies and other stakeholders.

Research Highlights

Restoration of Degraded land at Lunawas Bhakar,Jodhpur
Release of Soil health Cards for Rajasthan
Release of soil health Cards for Gujarat and Dadara and Nagar Haveli
A. Capparis decidua field view. B. Fruit collection C. Seed germination D. Seedling development in Nursery in root trainer with extender pipe E. Nursery grown seedlings in 500 cc root trainer with PVC pipe extender F &G. Field plantation H. Capparis decidua established at 12 month age after field plantation.
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People

S.No. Name of Officer Designation Official Email Contact
Sh. N. K. Limba CTO nklimba@icfre.org 2729153
Sh. S. K. Rajput CTO skrajput@icfre.org 2729149
Smt. Bhawana Sharma Scientist E & HOD bhawana@cfre.org 2729143
Dr. Sachin Sharma Scientist C ssharma@icfre.org 2729145
Dr. Aditi Tailor Scientist C atailor@icfre.org 2729128
Dr. Sharat Kothari Scientist B skothari@icfre.org 2729145
Dr. Ilham Bano Scientist B ilhambano@icfre.org 2729142
Sh. P. R. Nagora CTO prnagora@icfre.org 2729148
Sh. G. R. Choudhary ACTO gangaram@icfre.org 2729147
Sh. Bhepa Ram Bishnoi TO brbishnoi@icfre.org 2729148
Shri Ratna Ram Lohra ACTO rrlohra@icfre.org 2729151
Sh. Anil Sharma TO anilsharma@icfre.org 2729148
Sh. Mukesh Kumar Yadav Technical Assistant yadavmk@icfre.org 2729147
Sh. Shailendra Singh Senior Technician ssrathore@icfre.org 2729146
Sh. Jyoti Prakash MTS chobayjp@icfre.org 2729147