India Japan Deepen Forest Cooperation With New 2027-31 Roadmap

India and Japan have strengthened forestry cooperation through a new 2027–2031 roadmap, focusing on tree resources, forest genetics, geospatial technologies, biodiversity conservation and capacity building following the seventh JWG meeting in Bengaluru.

India and Japan have strengthened bilateral cooperation in forestry, biodiversity conservation and forest technology following the seventh meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on Forests held in Bengaluru. Senior officials from both countries reviewed ongoing collaboration and identified areas for deeper technical and institutional engagement.

The Indian delegation was led by Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while Japan was represented by Shimizu Kotaro, Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Discussions covered forest management, biodiversity conservation, research, technology deployment and capacity building.

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Three key areas formed the focus of the meeting: Tree Outside Forests (TOFs), forest genetics and Forest Stack. Under TOFs, India and Japan exchanged experience on assessing and managing tree resources located outside designated forest areas, including approaches to genetic improvement.

Forest genetics discussions focused on the conservation of genetic resources, tree breeding, improved planting material and germplasm conservation. These areas are significant for strengthening forest restoration and improving the quality and resilience of tree resources.

The two sides also discussed Forest Stack, particularly forest inventory, forest-stock assessment and the application of geospatial technologies and monitoring systems. Greater use of digital and spatial technologies can support more accurate forest-resource assessments and strengthen evidence-based forest management.

A major outcome was the endorsement of a 2027-2031 Roadmap under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India and Japan in 2015. The roadmap is intended to expand bilateral collaboration in forestry, biodiversity conservation, research and capacity building over the next five years.

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The meeting concluded with the signing of the Minutes of the seventh JWG meeting, reaffirming both countries' commitment to advancing practical cooperation in the forestry sector.

As part of the programme, the delegations visited Bengaluru’s Institute of Wood Science and Technology and interacted with Karnataka Forest Department officials. They are also scheduled to visit sandalwood agro-forestry farms, a sandalwood depot and a processing facility in Mysuru, followed by a visit to Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. The field programme is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange on sandalwood cultivation and wildlife conservation.