The 7th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) to strengthen cooperation in the forestry sector between India and Japan was held in Bengaluru on September 8, 2026. The Indian delegation, led by Mr. Ramesh Kumar Pandey, and the Japanese delegation, led by Mr. Shimizu Kotaro, discussed key issues related to sustainable forest management and conservation.
Both sides shared experiences regarding the assessment, management, and genetic improvement of Trees Outside Forests (TOFs) resources. Special emphasis was placed on genetic resource conservation, tree breeding, and improved planting material within the scope of Forest Genetics.
The meeting also included discussions on forest inventory, forest stock assessment, and the use of geospatial and modern monitoring technologies. Both countries expressed their commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and technical cooperation.
Both countries endorsed the 2027–2031 roadmap under the cooperation agreement signed in 2015. They also reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of forest conservation, biodiversity, research, and capacity building. The meeting concluded with both sides signing the minutes of the 7th Joint Working Group (JWG)
Under this program, the delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru and interacted with officials from the Karnataka Forest Department. On September 9, they will visit sandalwood plantations, a sandalwood depot, and a processing unit in Mysuru, followed by a visit to the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on September 10. The objective of these visits is to exchange experiences related to sandalwood cultivation and wildlife conservation.
(PIB)
