Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd

KFD sells about 60000 Cubic metres (Cu.m) of timber annually. Major portion of the sale is on teak. Based on availability, every month sale is conducted by auction in Government Timber Depots, on pre-notified dates following the sale conditions (See attached notification for the sales during 2003- (iv) . At present, there are 32 Depots including annex depots functioning under six Timber Sales Divisions. Billets, Firewood, Poles etc are sold from dumping depots in the Forest Ranges, through not on a regular basis. The method of sale is both by Tender and Auction. Press-notifications are published in dailies showing venues, dates and probable quantities of sale in each Division about 15 days in advance.

Bonafide users for the purpose of house constructions can directly purchase timber by paying fixed prices, upto a maximum quantity of 5 Cum. This facility is available in five Depots.

Right of collection of Pulpwood, Reeds and bamboos is granted to Firms as per agreements executed by them whereas that of NTFP (Non Timber Forest Produce) is granted free of cost to Girijan Societies.

In Govt Timber Depots, sale is normally conducted by the Divisional Forest Officers, Timber Sales Divisions (DFO, TS). In other cases it is done by the territorial DFOs concerned. Conservator of Forests (CF) of the Forest Circle having control over the sale Divisions confirms the sale. CF himself conducts sale of Rosewood.

KFD undertakes marketing of various types of forest produces worth crores of Rupees every year through different disposal methods. Industrial raw materials like bamboos, reeds, Eucalyptus, etc are being allotted yearly to the industries like HNL, under mutually agreed conditions and sale prices. Softwood species like Elavu are being sold as standing trees, by outright sale through tender-cum- auction. In the case of Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP), tribal people are allowed to collect them from the forests, through their co-operatives which are finally disposed by the Federation of SC/ST Societies. All other forest produces including timber, firewood, poles etc collected from forest plantations and dead trees from natural forests are sold by tender – cum auction method, through departmental depots or, in certain cases, through the concerned territorial Divisions.

Apart form the above, with a view to serve the common people, the government have recently introduced a system by which bonafide users constructing residential houses can directly purchase timber from selected depots paying the fixed price, without any other prescribed sale procedure already mentioned.

You can also purchase timber and other forest produces involved in forest offences by participating in the auction sale conducted in the respective Range Offices every month.

Vision

Improving and sustaining healthy living conditions through conservation of bio diversity, protection of environment, soil, water etc. and empowering forest tribes, women and other weaker sections of the society through scientific, transparent and responsible methods.

Mission

To increase the inflow of water to the reservoirs by improving the tree cover / forest cover over catchment areas
To manage forests by ensuring a holistic development of the welfare of forest tribes, women and other weaker sections residing on the fringes of forests and bringing their social and economic conditions on par with the rest of the general populations in the State.
To increase the productivity and resource potentials of forests in general and plantations in particular by raising their conditions to international standards.
Take Kerala to greater heights in the matter of biodiversity conservation and resource generation.
Managing forests in such a way that it protects and enriches the social and cultural values of the State.
Perpetuate and foster the inherent values and the cultural heritage of tribal communities.
Arrest the degradation of traditional forest tracts and to regain their past glory through suitable actions.
Ensure protection and expansion of mangroves, sacred groves and other highly sensitive ecosystems.
Carry out baseline activities for the conservation and management of wetlands as well as other water resources for improving the aquifer and water absorption capacity of soil.
Protect, conserve and improve wildlife habitats.
Plant as many trees as possible in all the non forest lands as well as in other suitable areas available out side the forests to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
Protect and conserve migratory birds and their habitats.
Create nature conservation awareness among public through eco-tourism activities and awareness programmes.