Director
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi P.O, Thrissur District
Kerala , India. Pin- 680653
Phone: +91-487-2690110
Mail: director@kfri.res.in
Dr Kannan CS Warrier is a native of Haripad in the 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 the 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 over 26 years of research experience in forestry as a 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 and over 30 years of research experience in forestry in total. Currently on deputation for five years as the Director, KSCSTE - Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, since April 2024. He was working as Scientist G (Chief Scientist) at ICFRE-IFGTB.
His research contributions are in the fields of Genetics and Tree Improvement, Clonal Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation. As the pioneer, he 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. Was instrumental in establishing and evaluating several provenance, progeny and clonal trials of Thespesia, Melia, Haldina, Tamarind, Casuarina, Leucaena and Eucalyptus across various States in India.
He has conducted a comprehensive study of the biodiversity of sacred groves in Alappuzha district, Kerala, and identified and enumerated 1128 groves. He has handled 23 research projects, including the first-ever collaborative project between ICFRE and the Indian Paper Manufacturers’ Association (IPMA) with five major paper industries. He has over 323 publications. He also holds a forestry patent (Tree Mean Diameter Estimation Using Digital Images, Patent No. 290429) 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 organised several environmental awareness programmes for students and the public under EIACP and Mission LiFE. As the Nodal Officer for the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) of MoEFCC, he has organised several GSDP programmes to empower unemployed youth in India, through which 62% of trainees have become entrepreneurs or secured placements. Under his leadership, MoEFCC adjudged ICFRE-IFGTB-EIACP as the best EIACP centre in the southern zone.
He was the Nodal Officer for Kerala during the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to rejuvenate the Cauvery River. He was the Nodal Officer for the Van Vigyan Kendra (VVK) and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) 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 to raise high-yielding clonal plantations. As a consultant member, he evaluated the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) in Kerala.
He is a member of the Board of Studies of the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala and Nirmala College, Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu. Member of the General Council of Kerala Agricultural University. Member of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Kerala Agricultural University. Member of the Executive Committee and State Council of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment.
His VIDWAN score, assessed by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, is 10/10.