Chhattisgarh Forest Department / NWFP Certification

At the end of the workshop, it was decided that for certification purpose an independent and autonomous body may be constituted under the Societies Registration Act. This body will consist of representatives from the various stakeholders groups such as the primary forest produce gatherers, primary societies, medicinal, aromatic and dye plants growers and traders, industries and pharmaceutical companies, research and development institutions and other expert autonomous bodies, NGOs and individuals.

The certification of the process as well as the product is necessary. With regard to process, it was decided that the 'source of origin' and its sustainability should be given due importance, particularly in terms of ecological, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.

Chhattisgarh forests, with its vast array of forest resources has embarked upon a new paradigm of poverty alleviation, sustainable forest development and biodiversity conservation through integrated ecosystem approach to translate the philosophy of 'conservation through use'. In this regard, thirty-two People's Protected Areas have been established in the state.

Since certification is a market based instrument, which apart from helping the forest management, also ensures remunerative wages to the primary collectors. Therefore, the certification of NWFP will go a long way in improving the socio-economic conditions of the forest dependent local communities especially the women.

The legal and policy framework elaborated by the Chhattisgarh Government will form the basis, which has taken into account socially acceptable benefit sharing arrangements (BSAs). With regard to the product content, the existing laboratory facilities may be up-scaled/enhanced to certify the active ingredients/alkaloid contents in particular NWFP including medicinal and aromatic plants.

It was also decided that the process of certification should be brought to the notice of all to ensure transparency and credibility to all concerned through print and electronic media including hosting the proceedings on the internet for informing all the stakeholders.

Interested parties can contact for getting themselves registered with either the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Cooperative Federation Ltd., or the independent certifying agency which is being constituted very soon.