Union Minister Presents India's First 'PRAMAAM' Certificates to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and Odisha Bamboo Farmer

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, presented the country's first PRAMAAM certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) in New Delhi. The event was organized by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, which serves as the operating body for the scheme.

During the ceremony, certificates were awarded to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for plantations spanning 33,000 hectares, and to a farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency (OBDA). These certificates were issued following intensive field and management audits of the plantations. This initiative marks a shift from the policy framework to ground-level implementation since the launch of the IFWCS in December 2023.

In his address, Shri Bhupender Yadav stated that 'PRAMAAM' is a critical tool for Indian producers, exporters, and forest-based enterprises to meet the global regulatory requirements of international markets. He noted that this would enable India to lead in sustainable forest management, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vocal for Local and Act Global.'

The Minister clarified that the accreditation system of PRAMAAM is in line with international formats, ensuring that these certificates are recognized by both domestic and global buyers. He explained that the certification is based on the principles of the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023 and focuses on third-party audits rather than simple self-declaration.

Describing 'PRAMAAM' as a livelihood mission, Shri Yadav said it would open new avenues of income for rural and tribal communities, small farmers, and forest-dependent populations in premium markets. He specifically mentioned that women's self-help groups and marginal landholders involved in processing non-timber forest products would benefit from this initiative.

'PRAMAAM' (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices for Agroforestry and Natural Forestry Resources) is a national-level transparent framework for the certification of forests, timber, and non-timber forest products. Evaluation is conducted based on the Indian Forest Management Standard. The system relies on independent audits by bodies recognized by the National Certification Body Accreditation Board (NCBAB), which operates under the Quality Council of India.