India's First 'PRAMAAN' Certificates Distributed

On September 29, 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav distributed the country's first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) in New Delhi.

Key Facts

First Recipients: Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) for a 33,000-hectare plantation area and Odisha bamboo farmer Govind Mahapatra received these certificates.
What is PRAMAAN?: It is the national certification system under IFWCS that certifies sustainable and verifiable management of forest, timber, and non-timber forest products.
Main Objective: The certification aims to connect Indian forest and agro-forestry products with domestic and international markets while encouraging responsible forest management.
Three Types of Certification: IFWCS provides for Forest Management, Tree Outside Forests Management, and Chain of Custody certifications.
Independent Audit: Certification is not based on self-declaration alone; independent third-party audits are conducted by NABCB-accredited certification bodies.
Global Utility: PRAMAAN incorporates standards related to traceability, due diligence, and deforestation-free products to align with global market requirements.
Nodal Agency: Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal acts as the operating agency for the scheme and plays an institutional role in its implementation.