Japan to continue supporting forestry projects in India

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Friday said it will continue to support forestry projects in India by making focussed efforts to rejuvenate the forests and help communities earn a sustainable livelihood.

"India is the largest recipient of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from Japan. Since 1991, we have been making focussed efforts to rejuvenate India's forests and help communities earn a sustainable livelihood," said Shinichi Yamanaka, JICA's chief representative in India.

"The results have been very encouraging, and today, ODA loans to forestry sector have been extended to 21 projects across 11 states," he added.

A Japanese government financial institution, JICA, which is the world's largest bilateral aid agency, had along with the Indian government's environment and forests ministry, Friday organised a forum to share impacts and challenges of JICA-assisted forestry projects in India.

The forum discussed future challenges pertaining to the projects and the forestry sector in India along with discussions on areas such as enhancing sustainability of project mechanisms and impacts, capacity development of stakeholders, and effective implementation mechanisms.

"We appreciate the support that JICA has been providing the Indian forestry sector for the last two decades, in the vital area of restoration of degraded forests and improvement of livelihood of the poor and needy communities around forest areas," said A.K. Bansal, additional director general in the environment and forests ministry.

"The projects facilitate convergence of other government department schemes for the holistic development of convergence of project areas. We value the interventions since they lead to socio-economic development of communities," he added.