Bengaluru: The 7th Meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group (JWG) on cooperation in the field of forests was held in Bengaluru on September 8, 2026, with both countries reviewing key areas of collaboration in forestry, biodiversity conservation, research and capacity building.
The Indian delegation was led by Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, while the Japanese delegation was led by Shimizu Kotaro, Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Government of Japan.
India-Japan JWG Discusses Three Key Areas of Forest Cooperation
The meeting focused on three major areas of cooperation between India and Japan:
Tree Outside Forests
Under Tree Outside Forests (TOFs), both sides exchanged experiences and knowledge related to:
- Assessment of tree resources outside forests
- Management of trees outside forest areas
- Genetic improvement of tree resources
Forest Genetics
Discussions on Forest Genetics focused on strengthening cooperation in:
- Genetic resource conservation
- Tree breeding
- Improved planting material
- Germplasm conservation
Forest Stack
Under Forest Stack, the two countries exchanged views on:
- Forest inventory
- Forest stock assessment
- Geospatial technologies
- Forest monitoring technologies
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India and Japan Endorse 2027–2031 Forest Cooperation Roadmap
Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2015.
The roadmap reaffirms India and Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas including:
- Forest management and conservation
- Biodiversity conservation
- Research
- Capacity building
The meeting concluded with the signing of the Minutes of the 7th Joint Working Group meeting.
Delegations Visit Institute of Wood Science and Technology
As part of the programme, the Indian and Japanese delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru.
The delegations also interacted with officials of the Karnataka Forest Department, providing an opportunity to exchange views and experiences related to forestry practices and conservation.
Field Visits to Mysuru and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve
The programme will continue with field visits on September 9 and 10.
On September 9, the delegations are scheduled to visit:
- Sandalwood agro-forestry farms
- A sandalwood depot
- A sandalwood processing unit in Mysuru
On September 10, the delegations will visit Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.
The field visits will provide an opportunity for India and Japan to exchange experiences on sandalwood cultivation in private farms and wildlife conservation practices.
India-Japan Cooperation to Strengthen Forestry and Biodiversity Efforts
The 7th JWG meeting builds on the cooperation established through the 2015 MoC and provides a platform for both countries to share technical knowledge, research and field-level experiences.
The focus on forest genetics, tree resources outside forests, geospatial technologies and wildlife conservation is expected to support deeper collaboration in sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation and capacity building.
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