Team KFRI » Scientist Profile

Dr. Syam Viswanath

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. Syam Viswanath is a native of Aluva, a region in the city of Kochi in Kerala and settled in Bangalore, Karnataka. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Forestry from Kerala Agricultural University and Ph. D from Kumaon University, Nainital. He has completed 10 months training in Agroforestry with a FAO fellowship in SFRC, University of Florida, USA.

Dr. Syam Viswanath has around 26 years of forestry research experience in Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), MoEF&CC as Scientist. Worked in various Research Institute of ICFRE like Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur (1992-99), Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore (1999-2003), Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore (2003-18).

His research contributions are in the interdisciplinary areas of Bamboo and Sandalwood cultivation and propagation, cropping systems research and Agroforestry. Completed 20 externally aided research projects and 6 internal projects in ICFRE. He has mentored 25 students for Ph.D and served as Consultant for UNIDO on bamboo. Worked as Faculty in other Universities in India and abroad. Courtesy Professor in SFRC, University of Florida USA in Agro Forestry and Guest Faculty in Azim Premji University Bangalore on Bamboo. Currently on deputation for five years as Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, since June 2018. Under his leadership, KFRI got the Best Performing Institute Award of KSCSTE for the year 2021.

Dr. Syam Viswanath has published large number of research papers. He is the Editor in Chief of International Journal “Journal of Bamboo & Rattan” published by KFRI and Reviewer for Agroforestry Systems Journal. He has delivered more than 40 invited lectures, as keynote speaker in National and International seminars/conferences.

Educational Qualification

  • B.Sc. in Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University
  • M.Sc. in Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University
  • Ph,D in Forestry, Kumaon University, Nainital

Research Experience

26 years as Scientist in Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (lCFRE), MOEF & CC, Govt. of India.

Positions Held

  • Scientist B & C Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur (1992-99)
  • Scientist D Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), (1999-2003)
  • Scientist E, F & G Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), (2003-18)
  • Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, since June 2018

Publications

  • Refereed Journals: 80
  • Technical Bulletins/Brochures/Books: 12
  • Chapter in Books, Proceedings: 31
  • Non peer reviewed Journals/Newsletters/popular articles: 25
  • Documentary movies conceptualized and Produced: 2

Guided for PhD

  • 20 Students awarded Ph.D under his guidance
  • Currently Registered 3 Research Scholars in Calicut University, 1 in CUSAT, 1 in National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Faculty in other Universities in India and Abroad

  • Guest Faculty in Azim Premji University since 2015. Conducts open Course on Bamboos.
  • Courtesy Professor in School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC), University of Florida, Gainesville since 2015.
  • Recognised guide for PhD in CUSAT Cochin, FRI University. Dehra Dun, Calicut university, National Institute of Design Ahmedabad

Major thrust areas of work

Bamboo and sandalwood cultivation and propagation, cropping systems research and Agroforestry

Recognition and honours

  • Recognized consultant on Bamboo by UNIDO. Undertaken assignments in Srilanka and North East India.
  • Editor in chief of International journal ‘Journal of Bamboo and Rattan’ published by KFRI
  • Reviewer for Agroforestry Systems Journal
  • Life member of Indian Society of Agroforestry, Indian Academy of Wood Science & Bamboo Society in India
  • Advisory member of National Bamboo Mission, Govt of India
  • Executive body member in Asia Pacific forestry Research Institutes (APAFRI) based in Forest research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) since 2018.
  • Member of Sandalwood development committee under Niti Aayog, Govt of India
  • Program Advisory committee (PAC) member of DST, Govt of India for SC/SP schemes of SEED division since 2019
  • Dr. K.G. Tejwani Award (2021) by The Indian Society of Agroforestry (ISAF) In recognition of his exceptional contributions to agroforestry research and development.