1. The MoEF set up a committee to review the syllabus /course contents being imparted to the Indian Forest Service probationers during the induction in-service training at the IGNFA, Dehradun at regular intervals. The syllabus was last revised during 1994-95.
2. In order to deal with the emerging concerns/ issues and to strike a balance between the requirements for natural resource management and the socio-economic and cultural needs of the people, we need to equip the young IFS officers with appropriate tools, skills and knowledge. The MoEF felt a need to review the syllabus /course contents being imparted to the IFS probationers during the in-service training at the IGNFA, Dehradun. The IFS officers, custodians of invaluable unlocked natural resources, cannot conserve these resources through government machinery alone without soliciting active cooperation of the various stakeholders and being accessible to them for their sustainable livelihood needs.
3. The MoEF vide number 3-15/91-RT (Vol.II) dated 19^th July 2004 setup a Committee under the chairmanship of the Additional Director General of Forests to review the syllabus /course contents being imparted to the IFS probationers during the in-service training and make necessary recommendations to the government. The committee has held first meeting on September 17, 2004. The Committee decided to thoroughly review the course contents, suggest changes in teaching technologies and lay more emphasis on case studies, learning by doing, presentations, group discussions, and teaching at field sites rather than class room lectures. The Committee also constituted seven theme sub-groups vide order dated November 01, 2004.
4. Consensus has been that the probationers should be given enough exposure on the issues relating to community and farm forestry, forestry extension, biodiversity & environmental conservation, global forestry scenario, sustainable development of the people, water conservation, NTFP management, geographical information system, etc.
5. The Present Syllabus being used at the Academy can be perused. The recommendations of the Committee will be finalized and put on the website for inviting comments. As concerned citizens of the country, your valuable suggestions on making improvements to the course contents are welcome. Your suggestions will be given due consideration by the government before the course contents are finalized.
6. The suggestions may be forwarded/e-mailed at the following address.

A K Goyal
Member-Secretary, Syllabus Committee
DIGF (RT), Ministry of Environment & Forests,
Government of India
Room # 506, Paryavaran Bhawan
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi- 110003.
Phone: (O) 011-24361774, (R) 26263440
E-mail: akg@menf.delhi.nic.in