Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme launched to promote Sustainable Management of forests and agroforestry
- Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change introduced the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme.
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
- It is a national initiative aimed at encouraging sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India.
- It offers voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country.
- Parties involved: State forest departments, individual farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in agroforestry and farm forestry, as well as other wood-based industries in the value chain.
Three Key Certifications
- Forest Management Certification
- Aligned with the Indian Forest Management Standard, it includes 8 criteria, 69 indicators, and 254 verifiers, integral to the National Working Plan Code 2023.
- Tree Outside Forest Management Certification
- Specifically designed for agroforestry, focusing on responsible practices beyond traditional forest areas.
- Chain of Custody Certification
- Ensuring the traceability of wood-based products through the supply chain, emphasising responsible sourcing.
Oversight and Governance
- The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, comprising stakeholders from esteemed institutions and government bodies, will oversee the scheme.
- The council includes representatives from Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Forest Survey of India, Quality Council of India, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, is designated as the scheme operating agency and is responsible for the overall management of the Scheme.
Accreditation Process
- The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, under the Quality Council of India, will accredit certification bodies.
- These bodies will conduct independent audits to assess entities' adherence to the prescribed standards within the scheme.
Prelims Takeaway
- Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
- Agroforestry