The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
Global production of all major wood products grew for the sixth consecutive year in 2015, while trade in wood products decreased slightly, according to new data published by FAO. The increase was mainly boosted by the continuous economic growth in Asia, a recovering housing market in North America and scaling …
Illegally harvested and traded timber continues to strongly impact our environment, societies and economies, including endangering biological diversity and climate change mitigation. Existing regulations are not enough to stem the global illegal trade in timber, which is shifting to countries with looser laws and to domestic, rather than international markets, …
In May 2014, the Member States of the United Nations adopted Resolution 23/1 on “strengthening a targeted crime prevention and criminal justice response to combat illicit trafficking in forest products, including timber.” The resolution promotes the development of tools and technologies that can be used to combat the illicit trafficking …
ITTO released a revised edition of its pioneering criteria and indicators (C&I;) for sustainable tropical forest management. The aim of this revised edition of the ITTO C&I; is to ensure that this instrument continues to meet the evolving needs of tropical forest stakeholders and to comprehensively inform the development of …
A much awaited Bill, meant for unlocking over Rs 42,000 crore fund for compensatory afforestation and wildlife protection, was passed by the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha finally on Thursday approved the Bill after the government assured the Upper House that it would make enough provision in rules to safeguard the …
Forests have an acclaimed role as a carbon sink needed to tackle climate change. Less known is how their contribution can be scaled up even after a tree has been logged. A new FAO publication, Forestry for a low-carbon future: Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies, offers …
Forests have an acclaimed role as a carbon sink needed to tackle climate change. Less known is how their contribution can be scaled up even after a tree has been logged. A new FAO publication, Forestry for a low-carbon future: Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies, offers …
Integrates climate change concerns and promotes private investment and role in forestry The government has made public its draft National Forest Policy, to replace the one crafted in 1988. Incorporating consequences of climate change but entirely ignoring one of the three forest related laws, the Forest Rights Act, the policy …
Forest and farm producer organizations are key players in meeting the world's growing demand for food and forest products, improving the lives of rural communities, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That is the key take-away of a new FAO publication launched at the European Development Days in Brussels, …
Bilaspur: Union tribal ministry has sought clarification from state government over cancellation of community forest rights of a village in Surguja north Chhattisgarh. The district collector, DFO and district tribal department had cancelled the community forest rights of the village in January this year. In a letter written to village …
Odisha has the unique distinction of being one of the few Indian states where thousands of local communities are actively protecting and conserving their forests. These people, who meet their own livelihood requirements from forests, however, are struggling since long to assert their rights over the forest resources due to …
DADELDHURA, May 27: Unabated extraction of resin from forests has continued in the hill districts of far-western region sidestepping the rule set by government. In 2007, the government had issued a 'resin extraction directive' detailing the steps to be taken while extracting resin from trees. As per the government directive, …
Small and medium-sized Asian businesses specializing in forest and ecosystem services can play a key role in reducing deforestation in the region, according to a new study. The Impact in the Forests: The potential for business solutions to combat deforestation in large forest landscapes in Asia report, explores ways to …
Over 65 per cent of Uttarakhand’s total area of 34,651 sq.km is under forest cover. But surprisingly, the State has made no inventory of its trees and this has encouraged a flourishing and organised trade in illicit timber. “There is no record either of the forest produce or the number …
Forests are rich in biodiversity and valuable for recreation, water regulation and soil protection. As well as for providing timber and other non-wood forest products, forests are important for mitigating climate change and for the renewable energy sector. Forest ecosystems are exposed to a range of environmental, economic and social …
Nearly 19,000 sq kms of forest area in the country is under encroachment, the Lok Sabha was told on Tuesday. "As per information provided by states and Union Territories, the forest area under encroachment is 18,994 sq kms which is approximately 2.47 per cent of the total forest area of …
Improving Efficiency in Forestry Operations and Forest Product Processing in Kenya: A Viable REDD+ Policy and Measure? seeks to assess whether increased efficiency in forestry operations and forest product processing and utilization constitute viable policies and measures to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) for the Government of …
Community-based forestry has shown itself to be a potent vehicle for promoting sustainable forest management, reducing poverty and generating jobs and income for rural communities, but unlocking its true potential will require greater support by governments through policy reforms and other measures. Many community-based forestry regimes are showing great promise …
Global production of all major wood products is showing its largest growth since the global economic downturn of 2008-2009, according to new data published by FAO. In 2014, growth in wood products, including industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels and pulp and paper, ranged from 1 to 5 percent, surpassing the …
DEHRADUN: Forest Survey of India in its next report of 2017 is going to provide additional but very useful information on status of forest burnt in a state. FSI will also inform the divisional forest officials (DFO) of the states about the fire breaking out in their forest by gathering …
