The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM ) was established in 1982 as an autonomous institution of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. IIFM was conceptualised by the Government of India (GOI) in response to the recommendations of the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) which felt a growing need to train manpower in professional management of forests.
The impetus generated by these recommendations culminated in an alliance with the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) through which the philosophy and raison deter of IIFM was evolved. The Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has also contributed financially and technically in establishing the Institute. Since its establishment, the IIFM has emerged as a premier educational Institute in the area of Forest Management in India and South-east Asia. IIFM has also been successful in getting considerable global recognition.