Overview

• India is hosting the World Teak Conference for the first time, drawing experts and delegates from more than 40 countries to Kochi.
• Kerala’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajesh Ravindran outlined climate pressures, poor planting material, unscientific afforestation, wildlife impacts, and financing gaps as core challenges.
• Ravindran urged scientific methods, targeted training, and international cooperation to turn sector constraints into opportunities.
• MoEFCC’s K. B. Singh highlighted recent measures including a revised working plan code, a digitised national forest inventory, a national transit permit system, and a forest and tree certification scheme.
• The three-day program features sessions on economic assessments, value addition, market development, and building legal, sustainable supply chains, with ITTO’s Sheam Satkuru calling for broad-based discussions on production and livelihoods.