A Career in Wildlife conservation

I want to pursue post graduation in wildlife conservation; I would like to know how many universities offer this course in India and how do I qualify in the entrance exam?

A career in wild life conservation has been attracting students off late. Students who are passionate about the rich wild life in India are willing to venture into the wild primarily to protect, manage and preserve it. This sector has seen an increased interest both by the Centre and the State governments and also by international agencies and NGOs.

They fund the wild life research projects which are related to environment assessment and conservation. The sky becomes a limit for young environmentalists working for such projects. The Wild life Institute of India, Dehradun, one of the premier institutes in wildlife conservation, offers M.Sc in wild life research and management. Eligibility is for graduates in science, agriculture, forestry, veterinary and life sciences.

The eligible candidates have to write National Entrance Test (NET) in one of the 6 Centres (Bengaluru, Dehradun, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Guwahati). The NET which is of 2.5 hours, tests the candidates on GK, general science, life sciences, forestry, agriculture science, veterinary science, geology, geography, sociology, economics and engineering. Shortlisted meritorious candidates based on NET screening will be called to take a personality and aptitude test (PAT) at Dehra Dun

The National Centre of Biological Sciences is another premier institute in wildlife conservation. It offers M.Sc in wildlife biology and conservation for graduates in any discipline. This course is offered once in every two years. The course is in collaboration with the Centre for Wild Life Studies (CWS), Bengaluru and Wild Life Conservation Society, (WCS-New York) the degree is offered by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

The selection is through national-level written test and interview. Along with the written test, a detailed application, reference letters and an interview of short-listed candidates is also required. The written test assesses general knowledge, English language skills, analytical and quantitative abilities and knowledge of basic biology, ecology and conservation issues. This test is conducted in over 30 centers across India, including most state capitals, in early December. Additionally, a monthly scholarship of Rs 10,000 is given to NCBS students.

University of Kota, Rajasthan offers M.Sc in wild life sciences and graduates in botany, zoology, agriculture, nursing, forestry, biotechnology, veterinary and other equivalent science degree are eligible for this course. Refer link: http://www.uok.ac.in/courses-offered-by-the-university.html

Amity Institute of wildlife sciences offers M.Sc in wild life sciences, a graduate in science subjects/engineering/ veterinary/ forestry/ agriculture/environmental studies is eligible to apply, Arid Forest Research Institute, Rajasthan Arid Forest Research Institute, situated at Jodhpur in Rajasthan (India), is one of the institutes of the Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) working under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India.

Saurashtra University at Rajkot, Gujarat (WII is affiliated to this university) offers a M.Sc wildlife science and the eligible candidates have to write National Entrance Test (NET),short-listed candidates will be called to take a personality and aptitude test at Dehradun. For the Indian Forest Service and State Forest Service officers, Wild life Institute of India offers a diploma in advanced wildlife management.

Centre for Wild Life studies of ‘The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University ‘offers an MS program in the discipline based on the concept of conservation medicine. This is an interdisciplinary area of science based on the concept that humans, animals and ecosystem health are somewhere inert related and hence interdependent. Visit www.kvasu.ac.in for details.

Check the site: http://www.andhra colleges. com/courses /Forestry_Wild_Life.aspx for M.Sc in forestry. I have recently completed my graduation (B.Tech in EEE dept), but the problem is I have scored less than 60 per cent. Life has become vulnerable for me. I regret for having lost my career path, after all I am an average student overall. Engineering was the only choice I could make because my father didn’t want me to do a regular degree, but I was never up to the mark to be an engineer. I set a bad example to my younger ones in the family.

I have shifted my focus to BPO side and quite successful but could not clear the HR round. I have improved a lot and confident of securing job in near future. I would like to continue my education further. Now, I have understood the value of education and like to reconstruct my career. I love mathematics and acquired technical knowledge in computers.

So please suggest me a course which would enhance my career. Also, what are the choices left out for me? -Chandu

Psychology says that not every person who thinks of killing himself is ever interested in ending his life, it’s just an escapism from responsibilities which seem like burdens; its sometimes escapism from certain relationships, or it could be the despair of not being able to change situations and circumstances.

This is seen in people with personality types who seem to give more importance to actions when compared to reasoning out and considering situations. I can assure that there are many on earth who have undergone enormous amount of emotional pain but what made them to carry on with life could be their strong convictions that there can be another way or maybe they have strong religious beliefs which prevents them from taking wrong actions or it could be that they hold an importance to life and value it.

As you say you are good at mathematics then you can write GMAT, MAT, XAT or CAT and pursue MBA from one of the reputed institutes. If you have scored 50 per cent in engineering then you are eligible to do an MBA. The opportunities are plenty once you complete your course or if you want to specialise in your field then go for masters (M.Tech). You will have to write GATE for this.

You also have an option of doing certification courses in:

Electrical circuit analysis

Power systems

Power system analysis

Electrical distribution systems

Power electronics

Linear system analysis

Advanced control systems

Switch gear and protection

You can learn programming and enter the software field by taking up certification courses in:

MATLAB, PSpice, Ecad, Labview, Keil, Pscad, ETap, etc

Doing the above courses will increase your job opportunities in designing.

If you want to work in your field of study then apply for any of the core companies, this can also include govt posts.

You can also appear for bank exams, because as an engineer you can write that with less effort. If you are confident and motivated you can write the UPSC or try for IES.

Choose wisely, it’s your life and you have to take right decisions which give better results and brings you satisfaction. All the best

Wildlife Forestry is an important and interesting subject of study. Forests form part of the vital natural resources of a country. From time immemorial forest resources have been a source of human sustenance. They are home to the most amazing herbs, medicinal compounds, natural cosmetics etc. Forestry and Wild Life go together since forests serve as home for wildlife.

Forest wealth also contributes significantly to the economy of the country. Specially trained personnel are therefore needed to maintain and regenerate the forest cover, forest wealth and resources. This involves the services of forestry specialists, forestry management experts and forest officers. Forestry involves protection of forests and farming of trees to ensure contributing timber supply. Forester takes care of forest resources by protecting them from fire, pests, disease, encroachment and indiscriminate felling of trees.

Eligibility

Educational: Various courses in forestry are available, at the graduate, postgraduate and diploma level, as well as at the Ph.D. level. Those with physics, chemistry and biology at the intermediate level can go for B.Sc Forestry course. Further the master’s level offers specialisation in subjects like forest management, commercial forestry, forest economics, wood science and technology, wildlife science, veterinary science etc.

The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Nehru Nagar, Bhopal offers a study programme in forest management. There are also opportunities for doing Ph.D in forestry at the recognised centres. Those with Bachelors degree in related subjects can appear for Indian Forest Service exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission.

Personal Attributes: Liking for outdoors, spirit of adventure, good health, stamina and physical fitness, patience, scientific temperament, organizing ability, public relations skills, practicality, courage, decision-making ability, capacity to work long hours, a genuine interest in the preservation of the natural environment and habitat, inclination for research and academic bent of mind, curiosity, excellent skills of observation, interest in agriculture and geography.

Job Prospects

• Foresters can take up work either in offices, laboratories or outdoors depending on their field of specialisation. Employment opportunities exist with
• Governmental, non-governmental organisations interested in preservation of forest resources
• Corporates having own plantations for timbering
• Industries that utilise forest resources employ industrial and agricultural consultants
• Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and its affiliated Forestry research institutes such as Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, Institute of Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation, Allahabad etc.
• Wildlife Research Institutes in Dehra Dun, Coimbatore etc.
• Zoological Parks
• Wildlife Ranges
• Education sector as tutors

By:Shehre Banu Kagalwala