Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) has been recognized as an integral part of sustainable development at the UN Earth Summit in Rio (1992). SFM contributes towards all the three pillars of sustainable development viz. environmental, economic and socio-cultural. In India, it is of critical importance due to the heavy dependence of people living in and around forests. The C&I provide a robust approach for monitoring and evaluation of forests over a time-period to work out its sustainability.
Framework for C&I
Bhopal-India process was India’s initiative on realization of the need by Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) to develop a practical and indigenous mechanism for monitoring SFM in the country. It was conceptualized that the development of C&I for SFM in India would provide the most effective way to set management targets that are in harmony with National Forest Policy (1988). The Bhopal-India process in 1998 was India’s initiative on realization of the need by Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) to develop a practical and indigenous mechanism for monitoring SFM in the country. It was conceptualized that the development of C&I for SFM in India would provide the most effective way to set management targets that are in harmony with National Forest Policy (1988).The criteria and indicators of Bhopal-India process were revisited and a refined set of indicators was developed in the year 2005. Ministry of Environment & Forests, GoI developed a National Set of C&I for natural forests on the line of B-I process.
Research Papers
Under the aegis of the centre for SFM & FC, research is conducted to provide policy inputs to the Central & State Governments. India provides a unique opportunity and has a substantial area under the natural forest and plantation. The development of standards for forest certification for various components of the forest is undertaken in consultation with various stakeholders and work towards its mutual recognition from international schemes.
Newsletters & Publications
The centre has identified dissemination of information on forest certification and tools and techniques available for the sustainable forest management in the field as well as the curricula in graduation and post-graduation level courses where the forestry is being taught. The publication of articles and technical documents on SFM and forest certification has been undertaken as one of key activity to disseminate the knowledge generated through research.
Bhopal-India Process 