India has officially transitioned its national sustainable forestry framework from policy to practical implementation as Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav distributed the first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS). The inaugural certificates were awarded to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for sustainably managing over 33,000 hectares of plantations, and Gobinda Mahapatra, an innovative bamboo farmer from Odisha. Operated by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal, PRAMAAN is India’s home-grown certification system designed to validate sustainable practices across forests, timber, and agroforestry through rigorous third-party audits. This landmark initiative aims to empower farmers, promote sustainable forest management, and enable Indian producers to seamlessly comply with stringent international standards like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), thereby strengthening India’s integration into global green supply chains.
Environment Pulse Desk: India has taken its first step in transferring the national framework for PRAMAAN certificates from policy to on-ground implementation as Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav handed over these certificates under Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) — the national framework for sustainable forest management, use and restoration of forests.
The certificates were given to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for sustainably managing plantations over more than 33,000 hectares and Gobinda Mahapatra—also called Govind Mohapatra—a bamboo farmer tied to the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency.
The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal is the operating agency for the scheme which held this event. PRAMAAN (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices for Agroforestry and Natural Forestry Resources) is India’s home-grown certification system for forests, timber, non-timber forest products and agroforestry.
It was launched in December 2023 by the Ministry with three certifications namely, Forest Management, Trees Outside Forests (TOF) Management and Chain of Custody. Certification is provided after independent third-party audits carried out by accreditation bodies working in accordance with the Indian Forest Management Standard under the National Working Plan Code 2023, which are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB).
The purpose of the initiative is to advance sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices while giving Indian producers an opportunity to comply with increasing domestic and international market demand for traceable, deforestation-free products that cater to strict regulations like EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Highlighting that the initial certificates show that the scheme is prepared to help farmers and forest-based enterprises with sustainable livelihoods, Minister Yadav said this would strengthen India’s linkages with international green supply chains. According to officials, further applications in different certification categories are at varying stages of processing. The first PRAMAAN certificates issued are viewed as an important milestone towards making verifiable sustainability the norm in India´s forest and wood sector.
Also Read: Inside Windhoek, the dry African capital becoming a blueprint for cities
