THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

The 14th National Workshop of JICA-Assisted Forestry Projects in India on Thursday sharpened its focus on building a resilient and green wood economy, underlining wood transformation, forest certification and industry linkages as key pillars of sustainable growth.

Organised by the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, Phase-II (OFSDP-II) under the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the second day of the workshop at Hotel Mayfair Convention concentrated on strengthening sustainable wood supply systems and expanding agroforestry to meet rising domestic and global demand.

Addressing the valedictory session as Chief Guest, Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, highlighted the importance of coordinated action in advancing climate-resilient forestry. He said the workshop demonstrated how collaboration among states and international partners such as JICA can accelerate India’s transition toward a sustainable forest-based economy.

Sharma also interacted with members of Vana Surakshya Samitis (VSS) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), reaffirming the state government’s commitment to livelihood enhancement and ecological restoration through community-led forest management initiatives.

In the presence of Wakamatsu Eiji, Senior Representative of JICA India, the workshop outcomes were presented by Siddharth Parameswaran, Development Specialist at JICA India. He identified climate adaptation, wood transformation and digital transformation as the cornerstones of future India-Japan cooperation in the forestry sector. He emphasised that continued engagement with Japanese experts and the private sector would promote co-creation and innovation, ensuring mutual benefits within the evolving framework of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

A key highlight of the day was the emphasis on multi-stakeholder collaboration involving state governments, research institutions and industry partners. During a thematic discussion on Wood Transformation and Forest Certification, experts underscored the growing relevance of certification frameworks such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and PRAMAAN. These mechanisms were described as critical bridges linking rural smallholders to responsible and traceable supply chains, thereby enhancing market credibility while strengthening local livelihoods.

Technical sessions showcased scalable and innovative practices from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Discussions covered the application of advanced genetics in plantation forestry to improve productivity and resilience, alongside modern wood processing technologies such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), which are gaining prominence as sustainable construction materials.

Participants also stressed the need for digital public infrastructure in forestry to function as integrated decision-support systems rather than standalone platforms. Ensuring interoperability, they noted, would significantly improve long-term planning, policy formulation and monitoring outcomes.

The valedictory session featured Dr. K. Murugesan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Odisha, as Guest of Honour. The programme commenced with a welcome address by G. Rajesh, Additional PCCF (Projects) & Project Director, OFSDP, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Swayam Mallick, Joint Project Director, OFSDP.