Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has launched the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme. 

About the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme

• It is a national forest certification scheme, designed to promote sustainable management of forest and trees outside forest. 

• Features of Scheme: 
  • Mechanism: It offers voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry. 
  • Demand: It will provide market incentives to various entities that will ensure responsible forest management and agroforestry practices in their operation. 
  • Certification: There is provision for Forest Management Certificates, Trees outside Forest Management Certificate and chain of custody certification. 
  • Standard: Forest Management certification is based on the Indian Forest Management Standard that was launched earlier this year. 
• Implementation: 
  • Body: The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal will be overseeing the implementation of the scheme. 
    • IIFM, Bhopal: It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It imparts education and training in Forest Management. 
  • Guidelines: The Quality Council of India will accredit the certification bodies that will assess the adherence of various entities on the standards of this scheme. 
    • Quality Council Of India: It is an autonomous body set up by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as an accreditation body, to raise the standards in all spheres of activity.

Significance of Forest Certification

• Certification helps the buyers know that forest product like timber has been sourced from well-managed forests or from recycled products. 
• It also discourages the use of supplies from illegal sources. 
• Ensures forest activities lead to environmental, social and economic benefits.

Source: PIB