TFP Bureau,Raipur, October 15, 2025: In a major step towards advancing forest-based education and sustainable management, Chhattisgarh is set to establish its first Forest Science Center in Asana, located within the Bastar Forest Division. The initiative has received formal approval from the National CAMPA Mission under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The decision was finalized during the 23rd meeting of the National CAMPA Implementation Committee, where it was resolved to set up such centers in six states — Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh — as part of a pilot project to promote forest science and ecological research.
The upcoming Forest Science Center in Bastar will serve as a hub for scientific training, research, and innovation in forestry, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. It aims to provide specialized training to forest personnel, students, and local communities on modern forestry practices, ecological monitoring, and forest-based livelihood models.
To guide the establishment and operations of the center, a state-level advisory committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Jagdalpur Circle. This committee will oversee the formulation of operational guidelines, training programs, and curriculum development for the center. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bastar will serve as the Member Secretary of the committee, ensuring coordination and implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
The advisory panel features a distinguished group of subject experts and academicians from within and outside the state. The members include Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur; Mr. Rajesh Gupta from Jashpur; Dr. Sanjivan Kumar, Associate Professor at Shaheed Mahendra Karma University, Bastar; Mr. Girish Kuber of Raipur; Mr. Rajiv Sharma; Dr. M.L. Nayak; Mr. Subodh Manohar Pandey; and Dr. Rahul Mungikar of Pune, Maharashtra. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Surguja Circle, will also serve as a member of the committee.
Officials stated that the experts appointed to the advisory body will contribute their knowledge and expertise on a voluntary basis, without any remuneration or honorarium. Their involvement is expected to help shape the center’s academic direction and ensure that it aligns with both national forest management goals and local ecological priorities.
The establishment of the Forest Science Center in Bastar marks a significant milestone for Chhattisgarh’s forestry sector, reinforcing the state’s commitment to conservation, research, and skill development. Once operational, the center is expected to emerge as a regional model for integrating traditional forest knowledge with modern scientific approaches, benefitting forest officers, students, and tribal communities across central India.
