IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

In the past two decades there has been increasing concerns, especially amongst Western European consumers, on the adverse impacts of indiscriminate harvesting of forests for timber.Forest managers and timber harvesters in many parts of the world have been found guilty of unsustainable management of forests, thus violating the rights of marginalized sections of the society dependant upon these resources. This is increasingly having implications on the export of timber products from developing countries.

Some of the larger plantations in Sri Lanka, with economies of scale, have begun to certify their forest products enabling competitiveness in the global market. However, certification is an expensive exercise and often, associated costs are prohibitive for smallholders. Facilitated by The World Conservation Union (IUCN), the RECS project enables a host of stakeholders including the Export Development Board, Rubber Research Institute, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Forest Department and the Planters' Association, to embark on an ambitious initiative for establishing accredited national Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification for Sri Lanka as well as encouraging group certification for smallholders.

This process involves supporting plantation forests in the adoption of best practices, which would facilitate certification. A group certification scheme will enable smallholders to overcome associated costs allowing group members to benefit from being part of a larger group.In turn, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), based in the Netherlands would facilitate the promotion of exports of FSC certified products from Sri Lanka ensuring better marketability globally.

Raising Environmental Consciousness in Society (RECS) is a 3-year partnership project, being implemented by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) together with a wide array of stakeholders. The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka is financially supporting the project.

Contact

FSC Project
Team Leader
Dr. Ranjith Mahindapala
ranjith@iucnsl.org