Brainstorming session for sustainable forest management begins

A two-day expert consultation on ‘operational strategy for sustainable forest management’ was begun at Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal on Friday.

The consultation was graced by the delegates from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF); Principle Chief Conservator of Forests from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur; veteran foresters and representatives from the State forest departments and research institutions.

At the onset MD Omprakash welcomed all the delegates and briefed about the learning of the project on sustainable forest management being executed by IIFM, Bhopal on behalf of MoEF, Government of India. He also acknowledged the efforts made by the different experts in initiating the process on sustainable forest management (SFM).

SC Mohanty, PCCF, Odisha, in his speech highlighted that forest resources offer many tangible and intangible forest benefits and harmonising ecological, economical and social aspects is the need of the hour rather than achieving sustained yield of timber only.

PB Gangopadhyay, Additional Director General of Forest, MoEF, GoI emphasised, the importance of SFM not only at country level but also there is also great pressure from the international level on the matters related to SFM and forest certification.

He shared his experience with regards to opertionalisation of C&I and other related issues in undertaking C&I exercise at large scale at a one point of time. He stressed that for incorporation of C&I in working plan/management plan, it is expected that clear cut list of indicators and guidance should be formulated during the two days consultations for field application.