The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited (WBFDCL) was established in 1974 under the Companies Act of 1956, based on the recommendations of the National Commission on Agriculture. Following the enactment of the Indian Forest Conservation Act and the Hon. Supreme Court's judgment in the T.N. Godavarman vs. Union of India & Others case in 1996, along with subsequent rulings, State Forest Corporations have been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing all timber harvesting activities in the state according to the Central Government's approved Working Plans.

Over time, WBFDCL has diversified its operations to include e-auctioning of forest-harvested produce, carpentry and joinery work, non-timber forest produce (NTFP) such as the production and marketing of Sundarbans honey, and eco-tourism. The Corporation has established its presence across almost all regions of West Bengal.