Japan International Cooperation Agency Organized a Forestry Project Directors Meeting

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Organized a  Forestry Project Directors Meeting for the Government Officials of   Forestry and Natural Resource Management Projects in India

by Shrutee K/DNS

New Delhi, September 16, 2016: In New Delhi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized the 7^th Forestry Project Director’s meeting for JICA assisted Forestry and Natural Resource Management Projects. The meeting was aimed at sharing the experiences and cross learning with respect to working on JICA assisted projects in India by the project heads and strengthening the working environment and relationship between the Government of India, JICA and the Forest Department Officials of projects.

Dr. Rekha Pai, Inspector General, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India was the Chief Guest at the event. She appreciated the work and achievements of the JICA projects in Forestry and Natural Resource Management sector in India. She congratulated JICA and the rest of the implementation partners for timely implementation of their projects.

Various key participants who made presentations included project heads of Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project, Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project, Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project (Phase 2), Tripura Forest Environmental Improvement and Poverty Alleviation Project, Swan River Integrated Watershed Management Project, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation project, Uttarakhand Forest Resources Management Project and West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Takema Sakamoto, Chief Representative JICA India Office said, “It gives me immense pleasure to share that JICA continues to be the largest donor to the forestry and natural resource management sector in India for several years now. JICA assisted forestry projects have been facilitating environmental improvement through increased forest cover, effective soil and moisture conservation, institutional strengthening, introduction of management processes and latest technologies at state forest departments. They have been also contributing immensely to improving livelihood of people who are dependent on forests. Today’s convention has showcased the fantastic work and accomplishments which we have achieved over the years, and learning’s from the implementation and outcomes of JICA assisted forestry projects in India will continue to contribute to the development of the forestry sector in India, realizing sustainable and replicable huge impacts of our projects."

Furthermore Ms. Sachiko Imoto, Senior Representative JICA India Office stated that this meeting serves as a forum for mass learning and sharing experiences and best practices amongst JICA-assisted Forestry and Natural Resource Management Projects in India. She further mentioned that the experiences from the JICA-assisted forestry and natural resource management projects, which have been formed through active collaboration between India and Japan and executed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and different Indian states, would facilitate the further development of forestry management in India.

JICA's commitment to forestry projects in India started in 1991 with ‘Afforestation and Pasture Development along Indira Gandhi Canal Area' in Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan. JICA's assistance strategy has been evolving over these years which now cover not only afforestation but also participatory forest management, bio-diversity conservation and livelihood improvement of forestry dependent community.

JICA has committed 225.8 billion Japanese Yen for 23 projects, across 13 states of India. JICA has supported 22 forestry projects which are state specific and one national Human Resource Development project for the frontline staff in 13 states where a JICA assisted project is not present, this national project has been awarded for ‘Excellence in Training' at the inaugural National Symposium on Excellence in Training organized by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.

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. JICA is the world’s biggest bilateral donor agency. It 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: http://www.jica.go.jp/india/english/
JICA India Brochure: http://www.jica.go.jp/india/english/office/others/brochures.html