Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat

Syllabus: Indian Institutions (UPSC Prelims)

Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI) is a regional research institute under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC). It plays a key role in forestry research in the North-East, one of India’s most biodiversity-rich regions.

Location

• Jorhat¹, Assam

Mandate & Objectives

• Conduct research on rainforest ecology and biodiversity conservation in North-East India.
• Develop technologies for sustainable forest management, reforestation, and degraded land restoration.
• Promote scientific utilisation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and bamboo resources, which are abundant in the region.
• Support conservation of threatened and endemic species found in Assam and adjoining states.
• Provide technical support to state forest departments and local communities.

Key Research Areas

• Silviculture of tropical and semi-evergreen forests
• Agroforestry models suited for North-East India
• Bamboo & cane resource management
• Soil and water conservation
• Insect pest management and forest pathology
• Climate change impact on North-East forest ecosystems
• Biotechnology & nursery techniques for important species

Training & Extension

• Offers capacity-building programmes for:
  • Forest officials
  • Tribal communities
  • Farmers and bamboo artisans
• Conducts outreach for sustainable harvesting of forest produce.

1. Question Reference
   (HPAS PYQ 2025) ↩︎