India-Japan Joint Forestry Meeting Highlights

Summary of the India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Forestry

Event Details:

• Meeting Date: September 8, 2026
• Location: Bengaluru, India
• Participants:
  • India: Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • Japan: Kotaro Shimizu, Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Key Discussion Areas:

1. Trees Outside Forests (TOF) Program:

   • Focus on assessment, management, and genetic improvement of tree resources outside forests.
   • Sharing of experiences related to genetic resource conservation, tree breeding, advanced planting materials, and the conservation of live genetic materials.

2. Forest Resources:

   • Discussions on forest inventory, assessment of forest resources, and geospatial and monitoring technologies.

3. Roadmap Support:

   • Affirmation of commitment to the 2027-2031 roadmap under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2015.
   • Emphasis on deepening cooperation in forestry, biodiversity conservation, research, and capacity development.

Outcomes:

• Signing of the minutes of the 7th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting.
• Planned visits to various forestry and agricultural sites in Karnataka and Mysuru, including:
  • Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru.
  • Sandalwood Agroforestry Farm and Processing Unit in Mysuru.
  • Nagarhole Tiger Reserve to exchange experiences on sandalwood cultivation and wildlife conservation practices.

International Agreements and Cooperation:

• The meeting reaffirms the ongoing collaboration between India and Japan in forestry and environmental conservation, enhancing bilateral relations.

Important Notes:

• The discussions align with global efforts to enhance forest resource management and biodiversity conservation.
• The exchange of expertise in forestry genetics and conservation is crucial for sustainable forestry practices.

This meeting highlights the commitment of both nations to cooperative environmental management and sustainable development in forestry, reflecting broader international environmental goals.