Why is it in the News?

Amid rising international concerns about deforestation and illicit trade in timber, the government has launched its own “national” forest certification scheme to validate entities that adhere to sustainable practices in the management of forests and their products.

About the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS):

• The Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) serves as the national forest certification initiative, focusing on fostering sustainable forest management and the sustainable utilization of Trees outside Forests (TOF) across India.
• Voluntary Participation: The scheme provides a voluntary third-party certification mechanism to encourage agroforestry practices within the country.
• Alternatives to Foreign Certifications: IFWCS presents an indigenous alternative to foreign certification agencies that have been prevalent in the Indian market for the past two decades.
• Applicability: The certification applies nationwide, covering both forest areas and TOF plantations on government, private, agroforestry, and other lands.
  • It encompasses both timber and non-timber forest produce (NTFP).
• Necessity: With major export markets like Europe and the United States imposing stricter rules on forest product imports due to deforestation concerns related to climate change, IFWCS can provide market incentives for entities practising responsible forest management.
• Significance: The scheme aims to enhance trust, transparency, and international acceptability of Indian forest-based products.
  • It is especially beneficial for state forest departments, individual farmers, or Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in agroforestry.
• Compliance and Legal Status: While the certification may gain recognition from various regulatory authorities, it does not serve as legal advice on compliance with specific laws, regulations, or requirements.
• Foundation: Forest Management certification relies on the Indian Forest Management Standard, a crucial component of the National Working Plan Code 2023, introduced this year.
• The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, acting as a multi-stakeholder advisory body, will supervise the scheme.
  • The council comprises members from esteemed institutions like the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Forest Survey of India, and the Indian Institute of Forest Management, along with representatives from relevant ministries.
• Implementation: The Indian Institute of Forest Management in Bhopal will serve as the scheme's operating agency.
• Certification bodies conducting independent audits will be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India.

Management of Forests in India:

• The administration of forests in India aligns with individual working plans specific to each forest area.
• Recently, these plans have undergone revisions incorporating the newly formulated Indian Forest Management Standards.
• Comprising 8 criteria, 69 indicators, and 254 verifiers, these standards are obligatory for implementation across all forest divisions nationwide.
• While forest divisions are not compelled to obtain certification, adhering to these standards renders them eligible.
• The decision to pursue certification is contingent upon specific requirements and considerations.