First PRAMAAN certificates issued under India’s own forest and wood certification scheme

PRAMAAN certification: what happened?

Big buyers abroad now want proof that timber does not come from cut-down forests. Until now Indian growers had no national certificate of their own. PRAMAAN fills that gap, and the first certificates show it has moved from paper to the field.

• The Environment Minister handed over the first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) [PIB].
• Recipients: Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (33,000 ha plantations) and a bamboo farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency [PIB].

What is PRAMAAN?

• Full form: Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources.
• A national framework to certify forests, wood and non-timber forest products (NTFP).
• Three kinds of certification: Forest Management, Trees Outside Forest Management, and Chain of Custody.
• Forest Management certification is checked against the Indian Forest Management Standard, part of the National Working Plan Code 2023.

Why does it matter for India?

• Exporters can meet due-diligence and deforestation-free sourcing rules of major markets.
• Farmers who grow trees, women Self Help Groups and NTFP collectors can reach premium markets.
• Independent third-party audit makes the certificate believable, not self-declaration.

How does a grower get certified?

1. Apply to a certification body
2. Field and management audit
3. Checked against Indian Forest Management Standard
4. Certificate under IFWCS-PRAMAAN
5. Access to certified markets

Why does PRAMAAN certification matter?

What are the challenges in PRAMAAN certification?

• Only two certificates so far; others are still being processed.
• Small farmers may find audits hard without support.
• Global buyers must accept the Indian scheme for it to pay off.

What should be done next on PRAMAAN certification?

• Speed up pending applications from States, farmers and industry.
• Help farmer producer organisations get group certification.

What can Prelims ask on PRAMAAN certification?

• PRAMAAN = certificate under IFWCS of MoEFCC.
• Operating agency: IIFM Bhopal.
• Auditors accredited by NABCB under QCI.
• Forest Management standard is part of National Working Plan Code 2023.
• First certificates: APFDC and an Odisha bamboo farmer (OBDA).

How to write about PRAMAAN certification in Mains

Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): How can a national forest certification scheme help India meet global deforestation-free trade rules while raising rural incomes?

• Intro: PRAMAAN and first certificates.
• Trade gain.
• Livelihood gain.
• Challenges and way forward.