Team KFRI » Scientist Profile

Dr Kannan CS Warrier

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

Phone: +91-487-2690112
Mail: director@kfri.res.in
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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. Currently on deputation for five years as 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. 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 over 315 publications. He also holds a patent in forestry 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 organised several environmental awareness programmes for students and the public under EIACP and Mission LiFE. As the Nodal Officer of the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) of MoEFCC, he has organised several GSDPs to empower the unemployed youth of India. Under his leadership, MoEFCC adjudged ICFRE-IFGTB-EIACP as the best EIACP centre in the southern zone. He was the Nodal Officer for Kerala while preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the rejuvenation of the 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 to raise high-yielding clonal plantations. As a consultant member, he carried out the evaluation of the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) in Kerala state.

His VIDWAN score (Ministry of Education, Govt. of India) 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) in Indiana and California.
  • Participated in the joint evaluation of the FAO-coordinated global ex-situ forest genetic resources conservation programme involving the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre (Denmark) and FAO.
  • Undergone training on Internationally Developed Data Analysis and Management Software (IDAMS) by UNESCO.
  • Collaborated with CSIRO, Australia and infused 39 new international provenances of Casuarina equisetifolia to India to broaden its genetic base.
  • Associate Editor of Agroforestry Systems (Springer Nature).

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).

Extra-Curricular

  • Won the Kalaprathibha Award of the Kerala Agricultural University for 5 years.
  • Has released two CD 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 in 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 in Bangkok.
  • Composed music for the Official Theme Song, ‘Vana Neeru’ for the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department, released by the honourable Minister for Forests in January 2025.
  • Has released over 100 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, the largest cultural event in Asia for 10 years.