The Institute of Forest Biodiversity (IFB) is a research institute located in Hyderabad, in the Indian state of Telangana. It functions under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), an autonomous body of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The institute focuses on forestry research relevant to the biodiversity-rich landscapes of peninsular India, particularly the Deccan region.
| Type | Forestry research institute |
|---|---|
| Parent body | Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Field | Forest biodiversity, conservation, forestry research |
The Institute of Forest Biodiversity is one of several regional research institutes set up across India under ICFRE to address forestry needs specific to particular ecological zones. While the parent council coordinates national forestry research, IFB Hyderabad is mandated to study forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and tree improvement programmes relevant to the states it serves in southern and central India.
The institute undertakes research and extension activities broadly covering:
ICFRE, headquartered at Dehradun, was established in 1986 and was granted autonomous status in 1991. It oversees a network of institutes and centres across India. The Institute of Forest Biodiversity at Hyderabad is part of this network, complementing other ICFRE establishments such as the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru, and the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding in Coimbatore.
By being situated in Hyderabad, IFB is well-placed to study forest ecosystems of the Eastern Ghats, the Deccan plateau, and dry deciduous forests that extend across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and neighbouring states. Its work supports state forest departments in plantation planning, biodiversity assessment, and conservation strategy.