The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has handed over the first certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), marking the transition of the scheme from policy framework to practical implementation across India. The Union Environment Minister presented the certificates at an event in New Delhi on 29 September 2026.
The PRAMAAN programme (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources) is a certification framework designed to help Indian forest producers, farmers and wood-based businesses meet global standards for sustainable and deforestation-free timber sourcing. The scheme was launched by the ministry in December 2023 and is operated by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Key facts
- Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation received PRAMAAN certification for plantations covering 33,000 hectares
- A bamboo farmer associated with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency also received certification
- All certified plantations underwent rigorous field and management audits before certification was awarded
- Certification bodies are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under the Quality Council of India
- Forest management certification is assessed against the Indian Forest Management Standard, part of the National Working Plan Code 2023
- Several State Forest Departments, Forest Development Corporations, farmers and industries have applied for certification in forest management, tree-outside-forest management and chain of custody categories
What is PRAMAAN and how does it work
PRAMAAN is a nationally recognised certification framework for forests, wood and non-timber forest products. It creates a credible and transparent system to verify that timber and forest-based products come from sustainably managed sources. The scheme positions Indian producers to access both domestic and international markets that increasingly demand proof of responsible sourcing.
The certification architecture is built on independent third-party audits rather than self-declaration alone. Certification bodies conducting these audits must themselves be accredited by the NABCB, ensuring consistency and credibility. Forest management certification follows standards set out in the National Working Plan Code 2023, which guides sustainable forest management practices across India.
Why this matters for global trade
Major international markets are adopting regulations requiring due diligence and proof that timber is sourced responsibly and without deforestation. PRAMAAN allows Indian exporters and forest-based enterprises to demonstrate compliance with these emerging global requirements. By obtaining PRAMAAN certificates, producers gain access to premium markets and buyers willing to pay higher prices for certified sustainable products, without adding unnecessary regulatory burden to producers.
The scheme’s accreditation architecture is benchmarked against international certification frameworks, meaning certificates issued under PRAMAAN carry recognition from both domestic and global buyers and regulators.
Who can benefit
PRAMAAN is designed as both a trade instrument and a livelihood scheme. It brings rural and tribal communities, smallholder farmers, forest-dependent communities, women self-help groups and marginal landholders into a structured certification system. Those engaged in non-timber forest product collection and processing, farmland agroforestry and tree-based agriculture can access premium markets through certification without facing excessive compliance requirements.
State Forest Departments, Forest Development Corporations, farmer producer organisations, farmer producer companies and wood-based industries are all eligible to participate in the scheme.
How certification is granted
The certification process begins with a rigorous field and management audit conducted by accredited certification bodies. These bodies assess forest or agroforestry operations against established standards to verify sustainable management practices. The first certificates awarded to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation and the Odisha bamboo farmer represent the completion of this audit process and approval for certification.
Three types of certification are available: forest management certification for plantation forests, tree-outside-forest management certification for agroforestry and tree farming on private land, and chain of custody certification for the processing and handling of certified forest products.
What this means for you
If you own or manage forest land or engage in agroforestry, PRAMAAN certification can open access to premium domestic and international markets willing to pay more for certified sustainable products. The scheme is designed to provide livelihood benefits to rural communities and small farmers without creating excessive compliance burden.
If you work in a forest-based industry or export timber and wood products, PRAMAAN certification helps you comply with emerging international regulations and access markets that now require proof of sustainable sourcing. Several state forest departments and industries have already applied for certification, with applications at various stages of processing.