A Vigilance Wing was formed in Kerala Forest Department vide G.O (MS) No. 289/71/Agri dated: 23-12-71, with the broad intent of enquiring into illegal removal of forest produce, monitoring and evaluation of departmental works and projects, evaluation of regeneration areas, corrupt practices by the forest officials etc. A subsequent Government order G.O (MS) No. 4/75/AD dated: 21-01-75 specified the framework and working of the Vigilance Wing. As per this Government Order, the object of Vigilance Wing is to combat corruption and misconduct in the Forest Department effectively, and to detect and prevent forest offences. Forest Vigilance Wing takes up cases under the following categories for enquiry.

1.       Nepotism of staff

2.       Causing wrongful loss to Government property or revenue or claim or dues.

3.       Making false claim against Government such as false T.A, House Rent etc

4.       Any dishonest or intentionally improper conduct on the part of a departmental officer or         abuse of his power.

5.       Causing avoidable delay in the disposal of Government business.

6.       Misappropriation or misuse of any Government property.

7.       Gross negligence or dereliction of duty.

8.       Any illegal or improper conduct.

9.       Abetment of the above offences.

10.   Illicit transport of forest produces.

11.   Allegations against department works.

12.   Petitions from public.

Machinery for vigilance and evaluation works.

The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is the head of Vigilance Wing at Forest Headquarters. Two Regional offices under two Conservators of Forests function at Kottayam and Kozhikode respectively. Eight (8) Flying Squad Divisions headed by the Divisional Forest Officers and Eighteen Flying Squad Units(18) under Range Forest officers function under the Conservators. At the Forest Headquarters, Four Assistant Conservators of Forests are posted to assist the Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance) in the functioning of the office. The list of field units under Vigilance Wing is as follows

List of Offices in Vigilance Wing

The total strength of staff working in Vigilance Wing is 267 which include 28 Section Forest Officers 108 Beat Forest Officers and 24 drivers. A statement showing the number of staff under different categories working in different field offices is as follows

Organizational Set Up of Vigilance Wing

Major Activities

·                     The Territorial and Wildlife Wings of the Kerala Forest Department do the generaladministration, protection and management of forests.

·                     Vigilance Wing functions as a watch dog and also extends necessary help to the Territorial and Wildlife staff whenever necessary.

·                     Vigilance Wing conducts enquiry into the allegations raised against staff, petitions  regarding illicit felling, poaching, ganja cultivation, arrack     distillation, encroachment etc.

·                     Evaluation of regeneration areas, surprise checking of check posts, night patrolling to prevent illegal transportation of forest produces etc is also done by the Vigilance Wing.

* Includes petitions received during the previous years pending for enquiry. 

 Forest Intelligence Cell

Forest Intelligence Cell was established during 2001 under the control of Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance). One Range Officer and 6 supporting field staff (one Section Forest Officer + 5 Beat Forest Officers) are working at various places in the state. Assistant Conservator of Forests (Evaluation), besides his regular duties in the office of Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), is supervising the Intelligence work of the Cell. The secret information collected by the Forest Intelligence Cell has resulted in detection of serious offences and arrest of the accused especially in Wildlife crimes. Field officers have recognized the utility of information collated by the Intelligence Cell through secret sources.

A toll free telephone (No. 1800 425 4733) is installed in Forest Headquarters Thiruvananthapuram to receive complaints and information from the public. This facility is open for 24 hours. The information/complaints received in toll free telephone is recorded in the printed format and passed on to the concerned field officers for necessary further action .The Toll Free telephone facility started operating from 2006 onwards.

Duties and Functions of Tribal Rehabilitation Commissioner

1. All matters related to integrated development and rehabilitation schemes in respect of the tribals to be settled in forest lands.
2. Administration and management of all funds/assistance provided for rehabilitation and development of tribals living in the forest areas.
3. Administrative and establishment matters of the staff working in the wing.
4. Taking timely action as required in correspondences and submitting of compliance reports, those are necessary with respect to the implementation of the scheme as required under various Acts & Rules.
5. Any other functions assigned to him by the Govt. / PCCF / APCCF
6. He will discharge the functions contemplated under the RTI Act.
7. Coordinating implementation of the ST&TFD (RFR) Act with other departments and offices.

Functions of Special Afforestation Wing

A.       DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND UNDER FOREST CONSERVATION ACT, 1980

 The main function of the Special Afforestation wing is to deal with the applications for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.

There are two sections to deal with the processing of the applications for diversion of forest land submitted by the User Agencies through the Divisional Forest Officer/Wildlife Warden and Conservator of Forests / Chief Conservator of Forests.

The proposals received from intending User Agencies for diversion of forest land for non forestry purposes are processed and examined in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time under F©Act, 1980 and submit to the Ministry of Environment & Forests through State Government for according approval.

 FC1 Section deals with the applications pertaining to the Divisions in Northern Circle, Eastern Circle and Southern Circle and FC2 Section deals with the application pertaining to the Divisions in High Range Circle and Central Circle. The files processed by the section are submitted to the Chief Conservator of Forests (Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer through the Senior Superintendent and the Deputy Conservator of Forests entrusted for the work. There is lot of correspondence to various offices from this office including the Government of India, Government of Kerala and Subordinate offices. Even after the clearance of the Government of India is obtained this office is monitoring the compliance of the conditions stipulated by Government for transfer of forest land for the non-forest purpose under Forest Conservation of Act, 1980.

B.        CAMPA

The Diversion of Forest land for non forestry purposes under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 requires payment for raising Compensatory Afforestation, payment of Net Present Value of the forest land to be diverted, Cost of the Penal CA, cost of Catchment Area Treatment Plan etc. The amount required for Compensatory Afforestation, Net Present Value, Catchment Area Treatment Plan, Penal CA, etc are paid by the User Agency to the account of the Adhoc-CAMPA. CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) is a body constituted by the Government of India, as per the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. In order to utilize the amount accrued in the Adhoc-CAMPA account fund for raising   Compensatory Afforestation as well as other activities such as Conservation, Protection and Management of existing natural forest, Protection and management of forest plantations, Conservation, Protection and Management of Wildlife and its Habitat within and outside protected areas including the consolidation of the protected areas, providing research, training and capacity building the State CAMPA has been constituted in the State. Government of India will release 10% of the total amount available against the State account deposited in the Adhoc-CAMPA will be released to the State CAMPA account. State CAMPA account has been opened in the name of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests as per the orders of the Government.   Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is the Chairman for the Executive Committee of the State CAMPA. The Chief Conservator of Forests (Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer is the Member Secretary of the Steering Committee and Executive Committee of the State CAMPA. So the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests (Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer is monitoring the realization of the fund in the accounts of CAMPA and also the utilization of the funds allotted to State CAMPA from Adhoc-CAMPA. Preparation of rules and procedure under State CAMPA and accounting procedure etc are the main functions of this office under CAMPA.  Nodal officer is responsible for preparation of the schemes,  Annual Plan Operations for CAMPA  every year, getting it approved by the Executive Committee, Steering Committee and as well as the Government of India and implementation of the approved APO. Allotment of funds under State CAMPA to the implementing officers (DFOs) and monitoring of the physical as well as financial progress is also the duty of this office. FC1 Section is attending to the works of CAMPA.

 C.        No Objection Certificate to wood based industries

Another matter dealt with in this office is the issuance of No Objection Certificate to wood based industries in the State. As per the order dated 30.10.2002 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in WP(C) No. 202/1995 the State Government should not allow starting of any wood based industrial units in the State without the concurrence of the CEC constituted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued guide lines in accordance with the Supreme Court direction and constituted a State Level Committee (SLC) to monitor and regulate the working of wood based industrial units in the State. The Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests is the Chairman of the SLC and the Chief Conservator of Forests (Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer is the Convener for the State Level Committee. Hence the job of issuing No Objection Certificate to wood based industries is now one of the main jobs done by the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests (Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer.  Also make necessary arrangements for conducting   field verification for the applications received for No Objection Certificates for wood based industries, issue notices for realizing one time payments from the applicants  and dispose of as per the rules subject to the approval of the State Level Committee and concurrence of Central Empowered Committee.  

There are seven Sections dealing with the subject. Each section is dealing with the application pertaining to 2 districts. There were about 12000 applications out of which nearly 5000 has been disposed off as per the guidelines issued by CEC. Saw mill rules have been prepared and submitted to Government. “Kerala Forest (Regulation of sawmills and other wood based industrial units) Rules 2012” have come into force with effect from 19.04.2012, the balance application are being transferred to the Divisional Forest Officers concerned who are the authorized officers under the said Rules for the issuance  of licenses.

Diversion of 0.018 ha of forest land under Section 2 of Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 for laying LTOH power line for the purpose of electrification of Sivapuram Harijan Colony in Anchal Range

 Conservator of Forests

(Special Afforestation) & Nodal Officer

Duties and Functions of  Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Management)

The office of the Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD) was established as an independent office vide GO (Rt) No. 411/2004/F&WLD dated 4.10.2004 after upgrading the post of Conservator of Forests (IHRD) to that of the Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD). Now, the post of CCF (IHRD) has been upgraded as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD) vide GO (Rt) No.5671/11/GAD dated 23.07.2011.

The Kerala Forest School Walayar, Kerala Forest School Arippa, Forest Training Centre Arippa, Fire Training Centre Arippa and Forest Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram are functioning under the administrative control of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD).

Details of the Institutions

1. Kerala Forest School Walayar

Kerala Forest School, Walayar was established vide GO (MS) 1220/61/Agri dated 5.12.1961 for the purpose of imparting training to the Foresters and Forest Guards of the KFD. The School is situated adjacent to Walayar Dam in Palakkad District on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu about 25 kms from the District Headquarters and about one km from the Palakkad –Coimbatore NH 47.

The first batch of foresters and forest guards commenced their training on 01.01.1962. The School started functioning on land and buildings transferred from the Public Works Department and which were part of Walayar Dam Colony. An extent of 18.2601 ha of land transferred by the PWD on payment of the land value and 1.3193 ha of land already available with the KFD constituted the original Forest School Campus. Semi-permanent buildings, which existed on these lands, were also taken by the KFD to be used as quarters, office buildings, class rooms and hostel, etc.

2. Kerala Forest School, Arippa

Kerala Forest School, Arippa was established vide GO(MS) 167/81/Forest dated 27.5.1981 for imparting training to foresters and forest guards making use of the existing facilities available in the training school previously belonging to the Kerala Forest Development Corporation.

3. Fire Training Centre, Arippa

The Fire Dept cum training centre was started on 22.01.1979, as per GO. No. 268/78/AD dated 5.10.1978 at Kulamavu with the objective of imparting training to the staff of Kerala Forest Department on modern fire fighting techniques. This Centre was later shifted to the Social Forestry Training Complex at Arippa as per GO (Rt) 4194/88/GAD dated 23.05.1988 and continues to function from there. This Centre has so far trained 178 batches of trainees.

4. Forest Training Institute, Arippa

The Forest Training Institute was established on 20.04.1990 as per GO (MS) 111/89/F&WLD dated 21.11.1989 at the Social Forestry Training Complex, Arippa. This Centre has conducted 72 batches of refresher training courses.

5. Forest Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram

The FTC, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram was established under the World Bank assisted Kerala Forestry Project during 2001-02. The Centre is organizing refreshers courses for various levels and categories of personnel of the KFD.

Major Activities of the IHRD Wing

Induction Trainings:

Imparting induction training to both foresters and forest guards on forestry related subjects such as forest botany, forest mensuration, forest act and rules, forest survey, forest engineering, wildlife management, etc., through class room teaching besides practical training in the school campus and also conduct of study tours within and outside the state. During the study tours, providing inputs on the practical aspects of forestry is given top most priority like dealing with forest offences, silvicultural operations, timber operations including sale and regeneration techniques. Physical fitness, exercises and games are part of the curriculum.

In-service Trainings:

Short term in-service training courses are organized at the Forestry Training Centre, Arippa and Forestry Training Centre, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram for the following categories of officers:

1. Assistant Conservator of Forests

2. Forest Range Officers

3. Deputy Forest Range Officers/Depot Officers

4.Section Forest Officers

5. Beat Forest Officers

6. Senior/Junior Superintendent/Head Accountant

7. Personal Assistants/Confidential Assistants

8. UD Clerk/LD Clerk

9. Drivers

10.Last Grade Employees

Refresher courses for frontline staff:

Refresher courses sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India through the Directorate of Forest Education, Dehradun are organized for frontline staff (Deputy Forest Range Officers/Section Forest Officers and Beat Forest Officers) at KFS, Walayar and KFS, Arippa

Deputation of IFS Officers/State Service Officers for trainings/workshops

Officers are deputed for trainings/workshops etc sponsored by the MoEF and other Ministries of the GOI and the State Government to the premier institutions in the country.

STP Trainings:

The wing coordinates various trainings as per the State Training Policy, being organized by Institute of Management in Government at its Centres at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Implementation of an externally aided JICA project –"Capacity Development for Forest Management and Training of Personnel"

The KFD is implementing the JICA funded Project (ID-P-199) titled –"Capacity Development for Forest Management and Training of Personnel" being steered by the MoEF, GOI for up-gradation of infrastructure of the Forest Schools and improving the syllabus and course curriculum for the induction training of the frontline staff (forest guards and foresters) of the Forest Departments in eleven states including Kerala. Detailed Project Reports for infrastructure up-gradation of KFS Arippa and Walayar were approved for Rs. 4.87 and 4.58 crores respectively by the Government of India and 80% of the approved amount released through state Forest Development Agency. The infrastructure up-gradation mainly includes renovation of existing buildings and construction of new buildings (also amenities like gym, recreation room, guest house for faculty), providing furniture and equipment, etc.   Implementation of infrastructure up-gradation works through M/S COSTFORD has started during May 2012 and shall be completed within 18 months. As provided in the project, a consultancy team for preparation of training manuals, training materials, and overall training improvement plan for frontline staff has been engaged from 01-06-2012. Consultancy team is expected to complete their task within 30 months and approved remuneration is Rs 35.94 lakhs.

The KFD has decided to fix the intake capacity of the two Schools for imparting induction training to 160 i.e. two courses for a batch of 40 each of six months duration.

Other activities

Besides this IHRD wing is responsible for coordinating conduct of state forest sports meet and participation in the national Forest Sports meet sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI.

CONTACT ADDRESSES

Training Schools/Centres

Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (IHRD)
Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Vattiyoorkavu PO,
Thiruvananthapuram-695013, Kerala
Fax/Phone 0471-2362291 
 Mobile: 9447003500
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Duties and Functions of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Biodiversity )

Discharging the Custodial functions contemplated under the Biodiversity Act, which is more regulatory in nature and taking appropriate action as envisaged in the BD Act.

Duties of APCCF (Administration): 

The Administration wing functions under the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration). He is assisted by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Administration), Senior Administrative Officer, Senior Finance Officer, Senior Administrative Assistant and Law Wing under a Joint Secretary to Government.

The work under the Administration wing is distributed among B, D, E, F, H, Tapal, Stationery, Record, Faircopy sections and Estate Office.

B Section consists of 9 clerks. 3 seats are supervised Junior Superintendent; 4 seats are supervised by Senior Superintendent and 2 seats are supervised by Junior Superintendent 'D' section. They deal with disciplinary cases. B section files are submitted to Chief Conservator of Forests(Administration) through Deputy Conservator of Forests (Administration). The disciplinary cases pertaining to ministerial staff are routed through Senior Administrative Assistant and Senior Administrative Officer.

D section consists of 3 clerks under a Junior superintendent. This section handles establishment papers of Range Officers, ACF, Deputy Director (WL) Education, gazzetted ministerial officers and preparation of select list.

E section consists of 6 clerks. They function under a Junior Superintendent and handle establishment papers relating to Deputy Rangers, Forest Guards, Junior Superintendents, Head Accountants, Clerks, Typists, Confidential Assistants, Drivers, Peons and Part Time Contingent service etc. These files are routed through Senior Administrative Assistant and Senior Administrative Officer .

In F section pension cases of the employees are dealt with. There are 3 clerks in the F section. Files in the F section are routed through the Junior Superintendent and the Senior Finance Officer to the Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration).

H section is under the control of Head Accountant. They deal the establishment bills, T. A. Claims, medical claims, reimbursement bills, loans and advances of the employees etc.

'T' Section consists of 2 clerks under a Junior Superintendent. Preparation of monthly accounts and all treasury functions are dealt with in the section.

The law wing headed by Joint Secretary (Law Department) assisted by a Section Officer and two Legal Assistants. They offer remarks on important issues on which the administrative section seeks advice.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry