Forest Section Officer (FSO), an officer in executive charge of the section, is primarily responsible for the forests, environment and wildlife-related issues of a forest section within a state or Union Territory of India. An FSO is assisted by other state forest officials including Forest Beat Officers (also known as Forest Guards) and Forest Section Officers in fulfilling FSO duties efficiently and effectively(also known as Forester/Round Officer).
An FSO is also responsible for the efficient management of the section, for the custody and condition of all Government Property in charge and for the discipline, conduct and work of the subordinate staff. In most states, a FSO is also a Gazetted Officer. There is a prescribed khakhi uniform for Forest Officers in India.

APPSC - FSO Profile - Roles and Responsibilities:

• Forest Section Officer (FSO), an officer in executive charge of the section, is primarily responsible for the forests, environment and wildlife-related issues of a forest section within a state or Union Territory of India.


• FSO should be on frequent patrolling and perambulation of the sections under his jurisdiction.


• FSO should see that the Beat Guards maintain the boundary lines and boundary marks of forest blocks in proper repairs and order and take steps to prevent illicit felling, encroachments in the Beats.


• FSO will report to Range Officer whenever there are any illicit felling and encroachments giving the details.


• FSO will assist the Range Officer in the execution of works, detection, and investigation of forest offences, checking of forest produce in transit, and assist in other works.


• FSO should see that the Preliminary Offences report in respect of forest offenses detected by him and his Beat Guards are promptly sent to the Range Officer and the Divisional Forest Officer.


• FSO should submit weekly diaries promptly to Range Officer giving details of cases booked and works executed.


• FSO has a prescribed khakhi uniform in India. FSO will wear uniform when on duty and will always carry a map of his section, dairy, bill book, Form A.B.D. books C.F. 140 etc.,


• FSO should not correspond or file any representations except through his Range Officer.


• FSO shall also perform any other duties that are allotted to him by his superior officers.


• FSO is assisted by other state forest officials including subordinate forest beat officers (also known as Forest Guards) and Forest Section Officers (also known as Forester/Round Officer).


• FSO is also responsible for the efficient management of the section, for the custody and condition of all Government Property in charge and for the discipline, conduct, and work of the subordinate staff.


• FSO is also a Gazetted Officer in most states.