The Central Academy of Forest Education college is located in Kurseong, in the beautiful hills of Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal. Established in 1927, this is the only Rangers’ College in the country under the direct control of the Government of India. This college is engaged exclusively in training Forest Range Officers from various states and Union Territories. The training capacity of the college is 40 per batch per year.

Established

In the year 1974 vide Government of India, Letter No- 11011/6/73-Fry-F, dated-6-3-1974 under Plan Scheme of Fifth Five Year Plan as third Forest Ranger’s College of the Country. Started functioning from 15th April 1974.

This College was inaugurated by the then Honorable Union Food & Agriculture Minister, Shri Jagjivan Rao. At present, it is the only Ranger’s College under the Direct control of the Directorate of Forest Education.

History

The College Building was said to be constructed during late 19th Century. It along with its landed property (31.57acres) was once a property of St Mary’s Seminary under the Catholic Mission of West Bengal (Society of Jesus) which was purchased by Govt of India. A proposal for declaring the College building as an Heritage Building is under active consideration.

Place

St Mary’s Hill, Kurseong Sub-Division, Under Darjeeling Dist (West Bengal)

Altitude

1636mtrs (5454 feet) above MSL.

Climate

High Rainfall Zone, winters are severely cold, autumns are mild and pleasant, Temperature max 20 degree Celsius and min 3degree Celsius.