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NCCF Conducts Sensitization and Training Workshop with Meghalaya Forest Department

August 29, 2024
Richard Bright
The Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a Sensitization and Training Workshop held in collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department from June 24th to 26th, 2024. The workshop, hosted at Sylvan House, Meghalaya Forest Headquarters, was a significant step towards advancing sustainable natural resource management, forest certification, and carbon credit initiatives in the region. The event saw the participation of esteemed officials, including Chief Secretary Shri. Donald Phillips Wahlang, IAS; PCCF & HoFF, Meghalaya Shri. Ranjit Singh Gill, IFS; and PCCF WP, R&T, DCA Meghalaya Shri. H. C. Choudhary, IFS. NCCF's key speakers included Mr. A. M. Singh, IFS, former PCCF & HoFF Assam; Dr. Devendra Pandey, IFS, former PCCF (HoFF) Arunachal Pradesh; Mr. Avani Varma, IFS, former PCCF & HoFF Karnataka; and Ms. Abhilasha Guleria, Assistant Director. We were also joined by Mr. Anirudh Soni and Varun Grover from TERI. The workshop aimed to build the capacity of the Meghalaya Forest Department in sustainable resource management and its allied activities, including forest certification and carbon credits. The event commenced with an opening remark by Chief Secretary Shri. Donald Phillips Wahlang, who emphasized the importance of forest certification and carbon credits for forest and community benefits. Day one focused on sensitization related to forest certification and carbon credits. • Mr. A.M. Singh started the session with an insightful overview of the Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), setting the stage for an informative discussion on forest certification as a tool for sustainable forest management, emphasizing the need for India-specific sustainability standards and providing updates on forest certification in India and its benefits. • Mr. A.K. Verma sensitized participants about the essential pillars of a credible certification system and the accreditation of certification bodies, underscoring the importance of integrity and transparency in the certification process. • Mr. A.K. Verma and Mr. D. Pandey led sessions on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Trees Outside Forests (ToF), respectively, highlighting the importance of certification for local community. • Ms. Abhilasha Guleria sensitized the department on the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) endorsement process and the PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC), offering insights into global certification standards and its benefits in local contexts. Mr. Richard Bright, CEO of CR-I, addressed the impact of climate change on global temperatures and the role of carbon credits, followed by Mr. Anirudh from TERI, who covered the requirements and lifecycle of carbon projects. Day two featured extensive training on the development of carbon project lifecycles. The first half of the day included in-house sessions that covered various critical aspects: • Types of Carbon Projects from the Forestry Sector: A detailed overview of different carbon projects that can be developed within the forestry sector. • Salient Documents and Information Requirements: An explanation of the essential documents and information necessary for the development of carbon projects. • Project Development: Step-by-step guidance on how to develop a carbon project, including methodologies, timelines, and key milestones. • Role of Different Entities: Insight into the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in carbon project development, including government bodies, private sector players, and local communities. In addition, Dr. Devendra Pandey and Mr. Varun Grover (TERI) provided an in-depth session on the use of LiDAR and GIS technology. They covered the critical role of GIS in Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects, biomass, and stock assessment, emphasizing how these technologies can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of carbon project development. In the afternoon, participants were taken to a field site in Khasi Hills for practical training. This hands-on session provided training on using instruments such as GPS, altimeters, and other tools to plot sample areas for carbon estimation. Key topics covered included: Above-Ground Biomass (AGB), Below-Ground Biomass (BGB), Litter, Deadwood, and Organic Soil Biomass This field training was crucial for equipping the staff with the skills needed to accurately measure and monitor carbon stocks, an essential component of developing credible and verifiable carbon offset projects. The third day focused on forest certification, chain of custody (CoC), and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). • Mr. A.K. Verma began the session by delving into the components, benefits, and historic development of forest certification at both national and international levels. He also provided an overview of two leading global forest certification schemes, setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of certification standards. • Ms. Abhilasha Guleria followed with a critical discussion on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). She highlighted its implications for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Trees Outside Forests (ToF), as well as the EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS). Her insights into these regulatory frameworks emphasized the importance of compliance and due diligence in global forestry practices. The workshop concluded with a commitment to continue building understanding within the Meghalaya Forest Department, finalizing certification areas, and advancing the steps of the carbon project, including a pre-assessment survey for certification and carbon registry registration. NCCF is dedicated to fostering sustainable practices and looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department to achieve these goals.

The Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a Sensitization and Training Workshop held in collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department from June 24th to 26th, 2024. The workshop, hosted at Sylvan House, Meghalaya Forest Headquarters, was a significant step towards advancing sustainable natural resource management, forest certification, and carbon credit initiatives in the region.

The event saw the participation of esteemed officials, including Chief Secretary Shri. Donald Phillips Wahlang, IAS; PCCF & HoFF, Meghalaya Shri. Ranjit Singh Gill, IFS; and PCCF WP, R&T, DCA Meghalaya Shri. H. C. Choudhary, IFS. NCCF’s key speakers included Mr. A. M. Singh, IFS, former PCCF & HoFF Assam; Dr. Devendra Pandey, IFS, former PCCF (HoFF) Arunachal Pradesh; Mr. Avani Varma, IFS, former PCCF & HoFF Karnataka; and Ms. Abhilasha Guleria, Assistant Director. We were also joined by Mr. Anirudh Soni and Varun Grover from TERI.

The workshop aimed to build the capacity of the Meghalaya Forest Department in sustainable resource management and its allied activities, including forest certification and carbon credits. The event commenced with an opening remark by Chief Secretary Shri. Donald Phillips Wahlang, who emphasized the importance of forest certification and carbon credits for forest and community benefits.

Day one focused on sensitization related to forest certification and carbon credits.

  • Mr. A.M. Singh started the session with an insightful overview of the Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), setting the stage for an informative discussion on forest certification as a tool for sustainable forest management, emphasizing the need for India-specific sustainability standards and providing updates on forest certification in India and its benefits.
  • Mr. A.K. Verma sensitized participants about the essential pillars of a credible certification system and the accreditation of certification bodies, underscoring the importance of integrity and transparency in the certification process.
  • Mr. A.K. Verma and Mr. D. Pandey led sessions on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Trees Outside Forests (ToF), respectively, highlighting the importance of certification for local community.
  • Ms. Abhilasha Guleria sensitized the department on the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) endorsement process and the PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC), offering insights into global certification standards and its benefits in local contexts.

Mr. Richard Bright, CEO of CR-I, addressed the impact of climate change on global temperatures and the role of carbon credits, followed by Mr. Anirudh from TERI, who covered the requirements and lifecycle of carbon projects.

Day two featured extensive training on the development of carbon project lifecycles. The first half of the day included in-house sessions that covered various critical aspects:

  • Types of Carbon Projects from the Forestry Sector: A detailed overview of different carbon projects that can be developed within the forestry sector.
  • Salient Documents and Information Requirements: An explanation of the essential documents and information necessary for the development of carbon projects.
  • Project Development: Step-by-step guidance on how to develop a carbon project, including methodologies, timelines, and key milestones.
  • Role of Different Entities: Insight into the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in carbon project development, including government bodies, private sector players, and local communities.

In addition, Dr. Devendra Pandey and Mr. Varun Grover (TERI) provided an in-depth session on the use of LiDAR and GIS technology. They covered the critical role of GIS in Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects, biomass, and stock assessment, emphasizing how these technologies can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of carbon project development.

In the afternoon, participants were taken to a field site in Khasi Hills for practical training. This hands-on session provided training on using instruments such as GPS, altimeters, and other tools to plot sample areas for carbon estimation. Key topics covered included: Above-Ground Biomass (AGB), Below-Ground Biomass (BGB), Litter, Deadwood, and Organic Soil Biomass

This field training was crucial for equipping the staff with the skills needed to accurately measure and monitor carbon stocks, an essential component of developing credible and verifiable carbon offset projects.

The third day focused on forest certification, chain of custody (CoC), and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

  • Mr. A.K. Verma began the session by delving into the components, benefits, and historic development of forest certification at both national and international levels. He also provided an overview of two leading global forest certification schemes, setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of certification standards.
  • Ms. Abhilasha Guleria followed with a critical discussion on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). She highlighted its implications for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Trees Outside Forests (ToF), as well as the EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS). Her insights into these regulatory frameworks emphasized the importance of compliance and due diligence in global forestry practices.

The workshop concluded with a commitment to continue building understanding within the Meghalaya Forest Department, finalizing certification areas, and advancing the steps of the carbon project, including a pre-assessment survey for certification and carbon registry registration.

NCCF is dedicated to fostering sustainable practices and looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the Meghalaya Forest Department to achieve these goals.