By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has begun equipping its scientists and officers with artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with a focus on using the rapidly emerging technology to improve forestry research, field applications and scientific decision-making.
ICFRE’s Directorate of Education organised a one-day training programme on “Artificial Intelligence in Forestry” under its Human Resource Development (HRD) Plan for 2026–27. Scientists and officers from ICFRE headquarters and its institutes across the country participated in the programme, which was conducted in hybrid mode.
The training focused on the practical, responsible and effective use of AI in areas including forestry research, field applications, scientific writing, literature management, data analysis and research workflows.
ICFRE Director General Kanchan Devi, who was the chief guest at the inaugural session, stressed the need for capacity building and adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen forestry research.
She encouraged scientists and officers to explore AI-based tools to enhance research productivity, scientific analysis and decision-making.
Dr Vineet Kumar, Deputy Director General (Education), ICFRE, in his welcome address, said exposure to emerging technologies was essential for strengthening the scientific and professional capabilities of ICFRE personnel. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mahaling, Additional Director General (Education & RB).
The training featured expert sessions by Dr Dhruv Kumar, Professor, Health Sciences, UPES, Dehradun, and Dr Anil Kumar, Professor, AI-ML, Computer Science, UPES, Dehradun.
The experts introduced participants to AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), various AI tools, prompt engineering and AI-assisted research workflows, while also stressing the importance of safe and ethical use of the technology.
A major component of the programme was hands-on training, with participants developing AI prompts and workflows for a range of forestry applications. These included species identification, forest health monitoring, carbon estimation, biodiversity studies and climate change assessment.
Participants were also trained in using AI for literature reviews, research-article summarisation, data organisation, report and manuscript preparation, grant writing and research planning. A practical session on creating a Custom GPT for forestry research was another key feature of the programme.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the digital and technological capabilities of ICFRE personnel and encourage the responsible adoption of AI-based tools in forestry research and related activities.
With forests increasingly being monitored through large volumes of data related to biodiversity, carbon, climate and forest health, ICFRE’s move to familiarise its scientific community with AI marks an important step towards integrating emerging technologies into India’s forestry research ecosystem.