[4] His persistent campaigning with the Government resulted in the banning of shifting cultivation in the Madras Presidency in 1860.

[3] Cleghorn organised the new Madras Forestry Department with such energy and success that he was asked to extend his operations into the Punjab.

In 1854, he was appointed to temporarily manage the conservancy and showed great aptitude for these new forestry duties.

Douglas succeeded permanently to the appointment and for the next three years was in charge of the Annaimalai forests, supplying teak lumber for shipbuilding at the Bombay Dockyard.

The assistant conservator vacancy at Anamalai was filled by Lieutenant Richard Henry Beddome, who was an excellent explorer and who had a good knowledge of botany.

[11] After the retirement of Beddome, upon the direction of the Viceroy of India, George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon (pictured) and with the strong support of M E Grant Duff, Governor of Madras, Dietrich Brandis reorganised the Forestry Department as it operated smoothly thereafter.

[13] In 1868, The Forest College and Research Institute was first established as part of the Agricultural School at Saidapet, Chennai.

In 1989, Masters programme in forestry was introduced at the Forest College & Research Institute, new campus at Mettupalayam.

All significant orders, permissions, declarations and authorisations of the department are personally reviewed, approved and signed by him.

The separate technical aspects areTamil Nadu Afforestation Project (TAP), Planning and Development, Personnel and Vigilance, Social Forestry and Extension, Biodiversity, Wildlife, Department Working Plan (WP), Headquarters, Research, Extension, Tamil Nadu Forest Academy (TNFA), Field Director – Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) and Director – Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP).

There are 39 Mahouts and 44 Cavady to manage and train the working elephants (Kumki) owned and used by the Forest Department.

It will have two members, of whom one will be the managing director of a corporation or an officer recommended by him and the other in the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests.