Bhopal-India (B-I) Process
The Bhopal-India Process is one of the nine global initiatives on Criteria and Indicators approach for Sustainable Forest Management. Its genesis is a Workshop “Regional Initiative for the Development and Implementation of National Level Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Asia” held at IIFM Bhopal, India in November 1999, where nine countries of the Dry Zone Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) participated. Working on 8 Criteria and 49 Indicators of Bhopal-India Process, India developed its National set of 8 Criteria and 37 Indicators for the Sustainable Management of its Natural Forests. These 8 Criteria and 37 Indicators have been adopted in the National Working Plan Code 2014, a guiding document for the preparation of Working/ Management Plans in the country at Forest Management Unit level.
SFM Toolbox
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) has been recognized as an integral part of sustainable development in Agenda 21 agreed at the UN Earth Summit in Rio (1992). SFM contributes towards all the three pillars of sustainability viz. environmentally sound, economically viable and socio-culturally desirable. In Indian context, it is of critical importance due to the high dependence of people living in and around forests.
The Criteria and Indicators (C&I) provide a robust approach for assessment of forests for its progress towards sustainability over a period.
The Bhopal-India Process SFM Toolbox collates the work of IIFM and its Center for SFM and Forest Certification since inception for the benefit of various stakeholders.
Latest information on Working Paper on Species-specific/Forest-type Criteria and Indicators for SFM
Center for Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification
Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) has, centers of excellence, each dedicated to focus on specialized areas of research within its broad mandate. One of these centers of excellence is the Center for Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification (CSFMFC).
Bhopal-India Process 