Union Environment Minister Hands Over India’s First PRAMAAN Certificates Under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and a Bamboo Farmer From Odisha

Key Highlights:

• Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav handed over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).
• Certificates were awarded to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for 33,000 hectares of plantations and to Shri Govind Mohapatra, a bamboo farmer from Odisha.
• The event, organized by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, signifies the scheme's transition from policy to field-level implementation.
• PRAMAAN aims to help Indian producers meet global regulatory requirements for sustainable and deforestation-free timber sourcing.

Detailed Insights:

• The IFWCS was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in December 2023.
• PRAMAAN positions India to lead in sustainable forest and tree outside forest management, aligning with the 'Vocal for Local and Act Global' vision.
• Its accreditation architecture is benchmarked against international frameworks, ensuring global recognition for certified products.
• Forest management certification under PRAMAAN is anchored in the principles of the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023.
• Certification involves rigorous field and management audits by independent bodies accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under the Quality Council of India.
• The scheme creates new income pathways for rural and tribal communities, small holder farmers, women Self Help Groups, and marginal landholders.
• This initiative reflects India’s broader vision for Viksit Bharat @2047, combining economic growth with ecological stewardship.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS): A national framework for certifying forests, wood, and non-timber forest products to promote sustainable management.
• PRAMAAN: The certification mark under IFWCS, ensuring credible and transparent recognition of sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices.
• National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023: Guiding principles for forest management in India, forming the basis for forest management certification under PRAMAAN.
• National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB): An accreditation body under the Quality Council of India that accredits certification bodies for various standards, including PRAMAAN.