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5. Forest Research Institute

The Forest Research Institute (FRI) is a premier institution of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. Located in Dehradun, the institute was established in the year 1878 and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind. Founded in 1878, the institute was reestablished as the Imperial Forest Research Institute 1906. In the year 1938 various officers recruited to the Superior Forest Service by the states and provinces were trained there.While the institute initially had a smaller campus in Chandhbagh, it was later extended and acquired larger campus in 1923.  The present building of the college was styled in Greek Roman Architecture by C.G. Blomfield. The then Viceroy Willingdoninaugurated the main building in 1929. The institution has now been declared as a National Heritage site.

The institute holds an important place in across the world as its history is virtually synonymous with the evolution and development of scientific forestry over the entire sub-continent. The institute is a spectacular sight to behold with the outer Himalaya forming its backdrop and 450 hectares of lush green grounds. The main building reflects Greco-Roman and Colonial styles of architecture and was also named in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest purely brick structure in the world. The institute is well-equipped with library, herbarium, laboratories, arboreta and printing press. There are experimental field areas for conducting forestry research which are among the best in the world. The major attraction of this institute is a Botanical Museum situated within its walls.