Context:
Launch of country’s 1st Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) recently.
Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS):
- National forest certification scheme
- Launched by – Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
- Aim – To promote Sustainable Forest Management and sustainable management of Trees outside Forests (TOF) in country.
- Offers voluntary 3rd party certification.
- Provides market incentives to various entities that adhere to responsible forest management and agroforestry practices in their operation.
- Certification applicability –
- Both in forest areas and TOF plantations on government, private, agroforestry and other lands
- For both timber and non-timber forest produce.
- 3 types of certification –
- Forest management certification
- Trees outside Forests management certification
- Chain of Custody Certification (traceability of a forest product).
Forest Management certification is based on Indian Forest Management Standard, consisting of 8 criteria, 69 indicators and 254 verifiers which is an integral part of National Working Plan Code 2023.
- Institutional arrangement –
- Overseen by: Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council
- Operating agency: Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
- Certification body: National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, Quality Council of India
Forest certification – to authenticate the origin, legality, and sustainability of forest-based products.
Chain of custody (CoC) certification – to guarantee the traceability of a forest product like timber throughout the supply chain from origin to market.
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council:
- Multi-stakeholder advisory body
- Composition – Representatives from Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, FSI, QCI, IIFM, Union Ministry (Agriculture and Commerce), State Forest Departments, Forest Development Corporations and Wood-based industries
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Hyderabad has become the only city in India to be recognized as a Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
