Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India.
What is sustainable forest management and agroforestry?
Sustainable Forest management involves the responsible and balanced use of forest resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates trees or shrubs with crops or livestock on the same piece of land. It combines agricultural and forestry practices to achieve environmental, economic, and social benefits.
What is the Scheme about?
This national certification scheme comprises three types of certifications:
- Forest management certification
- Tree Outside Forest Management Certification
- Chain of custody certification (to trace forest products)
Aim: It aims to provide market incentives for entities, including state forest departments, farmers, and wood-based industries, adhering to responsible forest and agroforestry practices.
The Forest Management certification is based on the Indian Forest Management Standard, and a new Trees Outside Forests Standard has been introduced.
Applicability: IFWCS is applicable across the country, both in forest areas and TOF plantations on government, private, agroforestry and other lands. Certification is applicable for both timber and non-timber forest produce.
Nodal Agency: The scheme will be overseen by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council (advisory), involving various stakeholders, and managed by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (overall management of the scheme)
Working: Independent audits will be conducted by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India to assess compliance with the scheme’s standards. Complying agencies will be given a third-party certification of compliance. Complying individuals/agencies can then avail of available incentives based on their certification.
