7th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Forests held at Bengaluru
The 7th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Forests was held in Bengaluru on 8th September 2026. Delegations discussed cooperation in Trees Outside Forests, Forest Genetics, and Forest Stack, and endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031. They also planned field visits to wood and wildlife facilities in Mysuru and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.
Why It Matters
This is relevant for competitive exam candidates tracking India's international bilateral relations, environmental cooperation, and bilateral meetings in the forestry sector.
In Simple Words
India and Japan held their 7th Joint Working Group meeting on forests in Bengaluru on September 8, 2026. The Indian side was led by Shri Ramesh Kumar Pandey, while Mr. Shimizu Kotaro led the Japanese delegation. They discussed Tree Outside Forests, Forest Genetics, and Forest Stack.
Both countries endorsed a new Roadmap for 2027–2031 under their 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation. They also signed the meeting's minutes and scheduled visits to the Institute of Wood Science and Technology, sandalwood farms in Mysuru, and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.
Key Points
- The 7th India-Japan Joint Working Group Meeting on Forests was held in Bengaluru on 8th September 2026.
- The Indian delegation was led by Shri Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Additional Director General (Forests), MoEFCC.
- The Japanese delegation was led by Mr. Shimizu Kotaro, Deputy Director General, Forestry Agency.
- Key areas of cooperation discussed were Trees Outside Forests, Forest Genetics, and Forest Stack.
- Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation.
- The meeting ended with the signing of the Minutes of the 7th JWG.
- Delegations visited the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Bengaluru and interacted with Karnataka Forest Department officials.
- Planned visits included sandalwood agro-forestry farms in Mysuru and the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.
Exam Angle
A. The Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2015.
Source: Press Information Bureau