Introduction :
 
The history of Cellulose and Paper research at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun dates back to 1909. The pioneering work of Mr. R.S. Pearson and Sir William Raitt led to establishment of bamboo as the main raw material for papermaking. The survey was made on the availability of bamboo in India and studies were initiated on evolving an efficient and economic process for preparation of easily bleachable pulp from bamboo.
Due to continuously increasing demand of various varieties of paper, the shortage of bamboo was experienced. Search for new resources of fibers for pulp and paper caught the attention of all concerned as early as in 1960-1962. Based on the research findings of F.R.I and other experiments carried out elsewhere simultaneously in the country extensive research work was carried out on suitability of tropical hardwoods (both individual species and mixed species) on one hand and on the other hand, growing consciousness about environment protection, it became increasingly difficult to get mixed tropical hardwoods to cater the ever-increasing shortage of fibrous raw material on sustained basis; researches on agricultural residues and grasses were undertaken. Side by side large-scale plantations of fast growing species of hardwood were undertaken by Govt. & Private sector and these fast growing species were evaluated and recommended to Pulp and Paper Industry.