Press Release

New Delhi, September 20, 2019: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organised the 10th edition of the Project Directors Meeting of JICA-Supported Forestry & Natural Resource Management Projects, in New Delhi, today. The one-day meeting entailed deliberations on issues, challenges and opportunities pertaining to forestry and natural resource management projects for 14 states including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Gujarat, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Haryana and Punjab.

Dignitaries at the event included by Mr. D.K Sinha, Inspector General of Forests (EAP), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoFC&CC), Government of India and Mr. A.K Bansal, Former Additional Director General, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change among other senior officials from the State Forest Department, including Chief Project Directors and Project Directors.

The objective of the meeting was to facilitate cross-learning and experience sharing in various JICA-funded projects. The key themes covered in the meeting were 1) Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration and 2) Technology based Planning and Monitoring using RS, GIS and MIS among other issues, which are the main topics of discussion at the 11th Annual workshop of JICA supported Forestry and NRM projects in India held in Kodaikanal in March 2019.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "JICA has been the largest development partner to the forestry and natural resource management sector in India and we are very glad to be associated continuously for 30 years with the Government of India for these projects. JICA is focused and committed towards enhancing environmental conditions for the people of India through our projects leading to increased forest cover, effective soil and moisture conservation, livelihood and capacity development of communities on the forest fringes and the introduction of technology-based management processes. Through this Project Director's meeting we aim to hold a productive discussion about the day-to-day issues, processes and best practices under JICA forestry project in India."

Heads of JICA-supported forestry projects in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Gujarat, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya made technical presentations on the above mentioned topics and had stimulating and extensive discussions on the next steps.

The lead presentation was made by Mr. Vineet Sarin, Additional Chief Development Specialist, JICA India, covering JICA's activities and milestones achievement up till now. He also highlighted the focal areas for 4th Generation of JICA projects to be launched 2019 onwards.

JICA-supported forestry and natural resource management projects are the result of active collaboration between India and Japan. The projects have been implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and the Governments of different Indian states. Learnings from these projects would facilitate the development of forestry management practices in India.

JICA has 27 forestry and natural resource management projects in India and afforestation/reforestation activities under JICA supported projects have covered close to 3 million hectares across 14 states. Since 1991-92, JICA has committed 270 billion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 17,000 Crore) in the forestry and natural resource management sector in India.

L-R: Mr. Toru Uemachi, Senior Representative, JICA India; Mr. Tetsuya Uetake, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan; Mr. D. K Sinha, Inspector General of Forests; Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India' Mr. Vineet Sarin, Additional Chief Development Specialist, JICA India and Ms. Sayaka Ochida, Representative (Forestry Sector), JICA India

The attendees of the meeting were officials from officials from the State Forest Department, including Chief Project Directors and Project Directors.

About JICA

Established, by a specific law, as an independent 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.

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Yuko Shinohara/Vini Sharma
+91 11 49097000
Shinohara.yuko@jica.go.jp
Sharmavini.id@jica.go.jp