7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation Meeting 2026, Significance

The 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation Meeting 2026 was held in Bengaluru on 8 September 2026. It reviewed bilateral work on forests, biodiversity conservation, forest genetics, research, technology and capacity building. The meeting was conducted through the India-Japan Joint Working Group under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2015. Both countries also endorsed a new Roadmap for 2027-2031.

What is 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation 2026?

The 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation meeting strengthened institutional and technical collaboration through discussions on tree resources, forest genetics, forest assessment and field based conservation practices.

• Meeting: The 7th Meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group on forests was held in Bengaluru on 8 September 2026. 
• Leadership: Ramesh Kumar Pandey led the Indian delegation, while Shimizu Kotaro headed the Japanese delegation.
• Indian and Japanese Officials: Ramesh Kumar Pandey is Additional Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Shimizu Kotaro is Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan.

7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation Meeting 2026 Objectives

The major objectives of the 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation 2026 has been highlighted below:

• Strengthen Forest Cooperation: Deepen bilateral cooperation between India and Japan in forests, biodiversity conservation, research and capacity building under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation.
• Improve Tree Resource Management: Exchange knowledge on the assessment, management and genetic improvement of Tree Outside Forests (TOFs) and strengthen approaches for managing tree resources.
• Promote Forest Genetics: Cooperate in genetic resource conservation, tree breeding, improved planting material and germplasm conservation for better forest resource management.
• Enhance Forest Assessment and Monitoring: Share knowledge on forest inventory, forest stock assessment, geospatial technologies and monitoring practices for improved forest management and informed decision making.

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7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation Meeting 2026

The key highlights of the discussions, outcomes and cooperation during the meeting of 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation 2026 is given below:

• Discussions:

• • India and Japan exchanged experiences on assessment, management and genetic improvement of Tree Outside Forests. These include trees growing on farms, field boundaries, homesteads, roadsides and other non forest areas.
  • Cooperation covered conservation of genetic resources, tree breeding, improved planting material and germplasm conservation. These areas support better management and preservation of valuable forest genetic resources.
  • Discussions covered forest inventory, forest stock assessment, geospatial technologies and monitoring systems. These areas can improve forest information, assessment and management practices in both countries.
  • Both countries endorsed the Roadmap for 2027-2031 under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2015. It aims to deepen cooperation in forests, biodiversity conservation, research and capacity building.
• Minutes of the Meeting: The 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation meeting concluded with the signing of the Minutes of the 7th Joint Working Group. This reaffirmed continued bilateral cooperation in forestry.
• Institutional Visit: The delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru and interacted with officials of the Karnataka Forest Department during the programme.
• Mysuru Field Programme: On 9 September 2026, the delegations were scheduled to visit sandalwood agro-forestry farms, a sandalwood depot and a processing unit in Mysuru to exchange practical experiences.
• Nagarhole Visit: A visit to Nagarhole Tiger Reserve was scheduled for 10 September 2026. It was planned to support exchange of experiences on wildlife conservation practices.

7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation Significance

The 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation connects forest governance with biodiversity protection, research, technology and practical field experience, creating wider opportunities for sustainable forest resource management.

• Bilateral Forestry Cooperation: The 7th India-Japan Forest Cooperation strengthens the Joint Working Group mechanism created under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation between the two countries.
• Biodiversity Conservation: The partnership gives importance to biodiversity conservation along with forest management. The Nagarhole field visit adds practical exposure to wildlife conservation approaches.
• Agro-Forestry Learning: Discussions on Tree Outside Forests and planned sandalwood farm visits encourage knowledge exchange on trees outside designated forests and sandalwood cultivation on private farms.
• Technology and Research: Forest inventory, geospatial technologies, monitoring, forest genetics and research provide important areas for exchanging knowledge, improving forest assessment and building institutional capacity.