India-Japan deepen forest cooperation: Key roadmap for 2027–31 endorsed

The Indian delegation was led by Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, while the Japanese delegation was led by Shimizu Kotaro, Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Government of Japan.

Under Tree Outside Forests (TOFs), both sides shared experiences on the assessment, management and genetic improvement of tree resources outside forests. Discussions on Forest Genetics focused on genetic resource conservation, tree breeding, improved planting material and germplasm conservation.

Under Forest Stack, the two sides exchanged views on forest inventory, forest stock assessment, and the use of geospatial and monitoring technologies.

Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2015, reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation and bilateral relations in the areas of forestry, biodiversity conservation, research and capacity building.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Minutes of the 7th JWG meeting.

As part of the programme, both delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru and interacted with officials of the Karnataka Forest Department.

The delegations will further visit sandalwood agroforestry farms, a sandalwood depot and a processing unit in Mysuru on September 9, followed by a visit to Nagarhole Tiger Reserve on September 10.

The field visits will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange experiences on sandalwood cultivation on private farms and wildlife conservation practices.