Team KFRI » Scientist Profile

Dr Kannan CS Warrier

Director
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi P.O, Thrissur District
Kerala , India. Pin- 680653

Phone: +91-487-2690110
Mail: director@kfri.res.in
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Dr Kannan CS Warrier is a native of Haripad in Alappuzha district of Kerala and settled in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He was the first rank holder for both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forestry from College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University. Obtained his Doctoral Degree in Forest Genetics from the Forest Research Institute University, Dehra Dun.

Dr Kannan Warrier has around 26 years of research experience in forestry as scientist at the ICFRE – Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (ICFRE – IFGTB, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. Currently on deputation for five years as Director, KSCSTE - Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, since April 2024. He was working as Scientist G at ICFRE-IFGTB.

His research contributions are in the fields of Genetics and Tree Improvement, Clonal Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation. He has released three productive clones of Casuarina equisetifolia suited for sodic soils. His genetic combing research yielded 139 Plus Trees of crook free Thespesia populnea and 155 Plus Trees of Haldina cordifolia. He has conducted a comprehensive study on the biodiversity of sacred groves of Alappuzha district in Kerala, identified and enumerated 1128 groves. He has handled 23 research projects including the first ever collaborative project between ICFRE and the Indian Paper Manufacturer’s Association (IPMA) with five major paper industries. He has a total of 309 publications. He also holds a patent along with co-workers.

As the Coordinator of Environmental Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP, formerly ENVIS) Resource Partner at ICFRE-IFGTB, he has released three mobile applications on forestry. He has organized several environmental awareness programmes under EIACP and Mission LiFE for students and public. As the Nodal Officer of Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) of MoEFCC he has organized several GSDPs for the empowering the un-employed youth of India. Under his leadership, ICFRE-IFGTB-EIACP was adjudged as the best EIACP centre in the southern zone by MoEFCC. He was the Nodal Officer for Kerala during the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the rejuvenation of Cauvery River. He was the Nodal Officer of the Van Vigyan Kendra (VVK) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for extension programmes in Kerala State. He also functioned as the Liaison Officer of ICFRE-IFGTB.

He has worked as a Consultant Member to the Forest Development Corporations of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra for raising high yielding clonal plantations. As a consultant member, carried out evaluation of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) in Kerala state.

His VIDWAN score is 10/10

International Exposure

  • Participated in the Tree Crop Improvement Programme organised by the United States Forest Service under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at Indiana and California.
  • Participated in the joint evaluation of the FAO co-ordinated global ex situ forest genetic resources conservation programme involving Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre (Denmark) and FAO.
  • Undergone a training on Internationally Developed Data Analysis and Management Software (IDAMS) by UNESCO.
  • Collaborated with CSIRO, Australia and infused 39 new international provenances to India for broadening the genetic base.

Awards

  • National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (2019).
  • Rolla S Rao National Award by the Indian Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy (2010) for the best research work on biodiversity conservation in India (Conservation of sacred groves (Kavu) in a non-forested region in Kerala).

Publications (309)

  • Books / Manuals: 16 (Books 11 + Manual 5)
  • Chapters in Books: 40
  • National: 66
  • International: 38
  • Reports:21
  • Popular Articles:32
  • Brochures: 12
  • Posters: 84

Extra-Curricular

  • Won the Kalaprathibha Award of the Kerala Agricultural University for 5 years.
  • Has released two Music Albums “Lalitham” and “Dashapushpam” (Music and Rendition).
  • Composed, sung and released Prakruthi Vandanam, an invocation on nature in Sanskrit based on Yajur Veda for the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • Composed music for the Official Theme Song, ‘Kadarivu’ for the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department sung by the renowned singer    P. Jayachandran during 2020.
  • Presented ‘Music from Wood’ an online percussion musical performance as part of the International Day of Forests 2022 celebrations of the FAO of the United Nations held at Bangkok.
  • Has released more than 80 music albums (Music & Rendition) on YouTube. (YouTube Channel: Kannan Warrier).
  • Worked as a compere in All India Radio, Thrissur for the Yuvavani programmes.
  • Presented music programmes in AIR, Doordarshan and several stage programmes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Participated in the prestigious Republic Day Camp at New Delhi representing the Kerala Contingent during 1988.
  • C Certificate holder in NCC and as a Senior Under Officer obtained training in horse riding at the Remount and Veterinary Squadron, at Thrissur.
  • Functioned as a judge in the Kerala State Youth Festivals which is the largest cultural event in Asia for 10 years.