The program for distribution of first certificate under the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) ‘PRAMAAN’ was held on 29 September 2026 at Teesta Hall, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Online Media Coverage on HMEFCC handing over India’s first PRAMAAN certificates:
DD News:
The programme was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), including the Secretary, MoEF&CC, and the Director General of Forests & Special Secretary, MoEF&CC; representatives from State Forest Departments, the Quality Council of India (QCI), Certification Bodies, academic and research institutes, and industry; and senior officials of IIFM, including the Director IIFM, Chief Executive Officer, IFWCS–PRAMAAN, Chairperson, Centre for Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification (SFM & FC), and other stakeholder organisations.
Dr. K. Ravichandran, Director, IIFM and Chairperson, Scheme Operating Agency, IFWCS–PRAMAAN, welcomed the Hon’ble Minister and distinguished delegates and highlighted the development and implementation of the IFWCS-PRAMAAN, the robustness and international benchmarking of its standards, the independent third-party audit mechanism and NABCB-accredited certification process, as well as key certification initiatives undertaken under IFWCS-PRAMAAN.
Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests outlined India’s longstanding work on the development of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, and the role of the Indian Forest Management Standard within the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) 2023.
Shri Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEF&CC emphasized on the importance of credible forest certification in India and commended the Scheme Operating Agency on its progress in this regard and the issuance of first certificate under IFWCS-PRAMAAN.
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change emphasised the importance of credible forest certification in India and the role of PRAMAAN as a mark of authenticity and assurance. He illustrated the application of criteria and indicators in assessing sustainable management practices under certification and highlighted the role of IFWCS-PRAMAAN in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in strengthening international market access of Indian wood and non-timber forest products. He highlighted the significance of Trees Outside Forest Management certification for promoting sustainable management and traceability in agroforestry farms and private plantations, and for enabling farmers to access high value markets and export opportunities.
IFWCS–PRAMAAN certificates were presented by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change to:
The program came to a close with a vote of thanks by the Dr. Anvita Pandey, Chairperson, Centre for SFM & FC, IIFM.
The certification of APFDC and Shri Govind Mahapatra marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable forest management, Trees Outside Forests management, and traceability under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme ‘PRAMAAN’.
IIFM, as the Scheme Operating Agency for IFWCS–PRAMAAN, congratulates the certificate holders and acknowledges the contribution of all stakeholders involved in this important initiative.
#IFWCS #PRAMAAN #IIFM #ForestCertification #SustainableForestManagement #APFDC #OBDA #TreesOutsideForests #ChainOfCustody #SustainableForestry
https://ddnews.gov.in/en/environment-minister-bhupender-yadav-hands-over-indias-first-pramaan-certificates-for-forest-plantation-and-bamboo-farming/
https://ddindia.co.in/2026/09/environment-minister-bhupender-yadav-hands-over-indias-first-pramaan-certificates-for-forest-plantation-and-bamboo-farming/
https://ddnews.gov.in/promoting-sustainable-forest-management-apfdc-and-odisha-bamboo-farmer-receive-first-certification/
AIR:
https://newsonair.gov.in/environment-minister-bhupender-yadav-awards-maiden-pramaan-certificates-to-apfdc/
https://newsonair.gov.in/hi/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D-8/
https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2104859367527100904
UNI:
https://www.uniindia.com/east-india/odisha-bamboo-pramaan-certificate/196737
https://x.com/uniindianews/status/2104874627638186418
The Times of India:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/odisha-bamboo-plantation-earns-pramaan-certification-for-sustainability/amp_articleshow/134570013.cms
