Arid Forest Research Institute

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the official website of ICFRE-Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI), Jodhpur (Rajasthan). ICFRE-Arid Forest Research Institute came into existence on 30 June 1987 at Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The mandate of the Institute is "Forestry research for conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of bio-productivity in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, with special emphasis on arid and semi-arid regions". The Institute is working on thrust areas mentioned on the homepage, which includes areas like Forest Ecology, Forest Genetics, Tissue culture, Molecular Biology, Forest Silviculture, Forest Entomology and Pathology, Non-Wood Forest Products and Forest Extension & Agroforestry. The institute has been taking up projects covering all the thrust areas.

We have also focused on some burning issues of the state like - mortality of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Mass multiplication of endangered species - guggul (Commiphora wightii), Induction of resistance in Rohida (Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem) against stem canker, Afforestation of degraded lands, Reclamation of waterlogged area through biodrainage and medicinal plants to mention a few. The Institute has carried out research on the keystone tree species of Rajasthan and Gujarat viz. Azadirachta indica, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, Tecomella undulata, Ailanthus excelsa, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus camaldulensis etc. Work on some of the burning issues & recent subjects like climate change, carbon sequestration, value addition of NTFPs, molecular genetics, bioinformatics and biotechnology are also under progress.

Through Director’s innovative ideas Neem Leaves Organic Manure (Value added with Trichoderma) has been prepared from the Neem trees of campus (leaves which were earlier either burnt or disposed off) & branded & is in high demand among the stakeholders.MoEF&CC through VRC (Variety Release Committee) in Nov. 22 has released 3 high timber yielding varieties developed by AFRI (AFRI- DS-1, DS-2 & DS-4) of Dalbergia sissoo clones for arid & semi-arid areas. These clones will be a boon for the stakeholders.

The research carried out by the Institute is being disseminated to the stakeholders through the Van Vigyan Kendras established in Rajasthan and Gujarat, by organizing the farmers trainings, displaying the research material in the various fetes, by organizing seminar & symposiums, through research publications in national & international journals and through the web portal. Young generation is being sensitized for environmental issues through 'Prakriti' programmes recently launched by ICFRE through an MOUs with KVS and NVS. To promote co-operation in complimentary research programmes in the identified areas of mutual interests AFRI is working with ICAR as per an MOU signed with ICFRE. The Institute also has a Cell of the FRI deemed university which registers the scholars for PhD in the field of forestry.

Our ministry has taken up the task of the rejuvenation works of 13 Major rivers of India, under which the Detailed Project Report preparation for the Luni river rejuvenation has been assigned to AFRI by MoEF&CC and it has been completed within FY 2019-20. MoEF&CC has sanctioned all India co-ordinated projects for 5 years under CAMPA funds during 2019-20, in which all scientists & technical employees of the institutes have been associated.

The Institute is in constant endeavor to carry out best possible research as per the needs of the areas under its jurisdiction. This website is an attempt to provide the users, with as much information as possible, about the research work carried by the Institute. I hope, the information given in the website will be of great help to the viewers. Suggestions for improving the website are welcome and may be given through email to me or the webmaster.