India and UK Strengthen Cooperation on Forest Standards, Certification and Product Traceability

Knowledge Exchange Workshop Held at Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal

17 July 2025, Bhopal: The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, successfully hosted a knowledge exchange workshop between India and the United Kingdom on forest standards, certification, and traceability of forest products. The workshop was organised with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, and the UK Government. It forms part of the broader India-UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) initiative, which focuses on strengthening timber traceability and certification in India’s agroforestry sector.

Inaugural Session and Dignitary Participation

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of senior officials and international representatives, including Shri Aseem Srivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Dr. K. Ravichandran, Director of IIFM, Shri Amit Anand, Deputy Inspector General of Forests, MoEFCC, Mr. Owain Roberts, Head of Climate Change Policy at the British High Commission, and Mr. Manoj Dabas, Country Director, CIFOR-ICRAF.Speaking at the event, Mr. Owain Roberts highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting that since 2021, India and the UK have been working together under the India-UK Forest Partnership to advance forest conservation. He remarked that the workshop represents a key step forward in strengthening sustainable agroforestry and product traceability systems that benefit smallholder farmers and improve overall forest governance.

Presentation of India’s National Forest Certification Scheme

Dr. Ravichandran, Director of IIFM, presented a detailed overview of the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), branded as “PRAMAAN,” which was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 12 December 2023. The scheme is India’s national initiative to ensure sustainable forest management and is envisioned to gain mutual recognition with other national and international certification systems. He stressed the need for a robust third-party verification mechanism to certify forests, trees outside forests, as well as wood and non-timber forest products, ensuring transparency and credibility.

Technical Insights and Exchange of Experiences

Experts from the UK’s Forest Research joined a diverse set of stakeholders from India, including government representatives, industry leaders, financial institutions, academia, and non-governmental organisations. Discussions focused on the UK’s journey in developing forest certification systems and product traceability mechanisms. These insights were shared to help India enhance its own frameworks and build on international best practices.Technical sessions at the workshop explored the development and implementation of certification standards, institutional and governance mechanisms that support certification, and the integration of smallholders and local communities into the certification process. The role of certification in complying with international due diligence and sustainability requirements was also discussed in detail.

Stakeholder Panels and India-Specific Dialogue

The workshop featured focused breakout sessions and panel discussions that contextualised the UK experience for India’s specific needs and priorities. These sessions were designed to explore practical steps and adaptations that could be made to Indian conditions. Panelists included representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CIFOR, NABARD, Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry (FIPPI), Greenlam, and Incube, who contributed perspectives from policy, industry, research, and implementation angles.

Future Collaboration and Shared Commitments

The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on the importance of continued technical cooperation between India and the UK. Participants agreed that sustained engagement among stakeholders from both countries is essential to build effective certification and traceability systems in India’s forestry and agroforestry sectors. The knowledge exchange not only enriched mutual understanding but also laid the groundwork for future collaboration in addressing global sustainability and climate challenges through improved forest management.

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