The Kerala Forest Department, responsible for the management and conservation of forests in the Indian state of Kerala, was established during the colonial period. The department's inception can be traced back to the early 20th century when the British administration in India initiated forest conservation efforts.

While there isn't a single founder of the Kerala Forest Department per se, credit for the establishment and development of forest departments in various Indian states, including Kerala, goes to the British colonial administrators and foresters who recognized the need for systematic forest management and conservation.

During British rule, individuals such as Dietrich Brandis, who served as the first Inspector General of Forests in India in the late 19th century, played a significant role in shaping forest policies and laying the groundwork for forest departments across the country.