The Department of Forestry & Natural Resources was established in the Punjab Agricultural University in May 1978 to carry out research, teaching and extension in the field of forestry and agroforestry. Faculty training under UNDP and schemes funded by State Government and ICAR provided the required impetus for establishment of forestry research and education. The department started B.Sc. Forestry programme during 1985-86. Two batches (25 students each) were admitted during 85-86 and 86-87 with the understanding that the successful students would be absorbed by the State Forest Department. However, the programme was suspended owing to limited employment opportunities. Presently, the department offers one course (Forst. 102) to B.Sc. (Agri.) Hons., B.Sc. Biotechnology, B.Sc. Home Science and B.Sc. Food Technology students. Elective courses in Forestry (started in 1980-81) and M.Sc. Forestry programme (started in 1990). The department was merged with the Department of Agronomy and Agro-meteorology on 1st May, 2006 and was again re-established as Department of Forestry & Natural Resources on 6th September, 2007. Research work on Silviculture, Forest Management, Agroforestry, Tree Improvement, Forest Protection, Forest Ecology, Travel destinations, and Wildlife is being carried out in the department.

Over the years, the department has made following salient achievements

• Recommended nine poplar clones and three Eucalyptus clones for commercial cultivation in different agro-climatic zones of Punjab.
• Standardized cultural and management practices for poplar based agroforestry system for tree row direction and spacing; different crop rotations, wheat varieties and their agro-techniques, insect pest control measures etc.
• Standardized the doze of zinc sulphate to ameliorate the Zn deficiency in poplar nursery and plantations.
• Standardized fertilizer requirement for Eucalyptus and poplar plants with respect to amount, timings and method of application throughout different growth years.