Bhubaneswar: Odisha hosted 14th National Workshop of JICA Assisted Forestry Projects on 11 February, bringing together conservation experts and policymakers to address the intersection of technology and environmental stewardship.
Under the theme of Future Ready Forestry: Climate Resilience, Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Wood Economies, the three-day convention serves as a strategic platform for the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, Phase-II and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to refine modern forestry practices.
Shri Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change for the Government of Odisha, inaugurated the session by highlighting the essential role of forest ecosystems in maintaining ecological security and global climate health.
Dr. K. Murugesan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head Of Forest Force(HoFF), Shri G. Rajesh, Additional PCCF (Projects), CAMPA Chief, and Project Director of the OFSDP and others graced the occasion.
Minister acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Government of Japan and JICA, noting how international collaboration has helped safeguard the livelihoods of tribal communities and other vulnerable groups across the state.
A central figure in the workshop’s coordination and strategic vision is Shri G. Rajesh, Additional PCCF (Projects), CAMPA Chief, and Project Director of the OFSDP. As a key representative of the state’s forestry leadership, his role involves overseeing the practical application of the workshop’s objectives, particularly as the OFSDP Phase-II approaches its conclusion in March 2027. The project under his direction is pivotal for integrating the digital tools and sustainable practices discussed during the event into the local landscape.
The Minister expressed a clear intent for the partnership to continue into a third phase, describing it as a vital component for reaching the goals of Samruddha Odisha 2036 and the national Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. His remarks were echoed by a panel of experts including Shri Vineet S. Sarin and Mr. Wakamatsu Eiji from JICA India, as well as Shri K.B. Singh of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The assembly of policymakers and foresters will spend the next three days refining strategies for a digital transition in timber management and forest monitoring. By focusing on sustainable wood economies, the workshop aims to create a roadmap that balances industrial needs with the preservation of India’s natural heritage.