Press Release

New Delhi, March 29th, 2023: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Loan Agreement with the Government of India to provide Japanese ODA loan amounting to JPY 9,308 million (approximately INR 520 crore) for the Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal (WB-FBCCCR). The objective of the project is to mitigate and adapt to climate change and conserve and restore ecosystems by adopting ecosystem-based climate change measures, biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvement activities and institutional strengthening, thereby contributing to the sustainable socioeconomic development in West Bengal.

The loan agreement was signed by Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India and Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India office.

Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India Office said, "In continuation to our previous successful support for West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project from 2012 to 2022, we are delighted to collaborate with Government of West Bengal again. Under the new project, we have shall be focusing on tackling climate change through enhanced interventions in a more scientific manner for efficient planning and monitoring. Government of West Bengal and JICA have agreed that, at the beginning of this project, several pilot projects using digital technology shall be implemented leveraging India's huge IT capacity to provide solutions to various challenges that the forestry sector faces. We are indeed excited to see digital transformation being brought about in the forestry sector under the project."

West Bengal is endowed with long topography and varied flora and fauna, but the forest cover of the state has not achieved either its national goal of 33% or the national average of 25% due to urbanization, excessive pressure on forest resources. The project will help tackle climate change and conserve forests and biodiversity in the state.

Exchange Rate: INR 1/-=JPY 1.5/-

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

• JICA India Office Web
• JICA India Brochure (PDF)
• JICA Facebook Page (external link)

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada /Aishwarya Mishra
(+91)-11-49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
(+91)-9599067185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com