Synopsis Scientific forestry in India began more than 150 years back. At the time of independence, forestry was in a state of flux as the condition of India's forests was poor due to over-exploitation during the two world wars. Soon after 1947, priorities changed and forestry began to play a more direct role in the rural and socio-economic development of the country. This book traces the state of forestry in India from 1947 to 1997. It has been written during the golden jubliee year of India's independence. All significant developments during this period have been brought out on basis of various published and unpublished material and hence no originality is claimed.