Sustainable Forest Management: Canada's B.C. Forests & Global Impact
- December 5, 2024
- By: Editorial Team
- NEWS
Countries that boast of having an expansive and vast forest cover often play a significant role in tackling climate change by acting as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Canada is one such country that is renowned for its sustainable forests from British Columbia (B.C.) province. Located at the western edge of Canada, B.C. forests are the leading provider of certified wood harvested through sustainable practices. It adheres to stringent forest management regulations and some of the most comprehensive practices, meeting global certification standards. This commitment to sustainable forestry impacts international trade positively as it delivers quality and authenticity as is evident with Canadian Wood species.
Forest management also plays a significant role in preventing deforestation, which is a major contributor to climate change. In fact, effective sustainable forest management ensures that vast lands of forest cover not only act as carbon sinks, but also play a crucial role in harnessing and maximising its carbon sequestration potential. This is further enhanced by sustainable forest practices, such as less than 1% harvesting check, silvicultural system, selection cutting, clearcutting reforestation, afforestation, and responsible logging. These techniques increase the forests’ capacity for absorbing carbon without disturbing the habitat. This also helps to ensure the longevity of the forests and keep them healthy and productive.
Sustainable forestry in B.C forests go beyond just agrarian practices to protect the forests. It has put in place laws and measures that engage the local communities and indigenous groups to preserve biodiversity and foster economic empowerment through job creation and the sustainable use of forest resources. Responsible harvesting practices like these are not collaborative, but also supportive of those whose livelihoods are dependent on forestry. It also ensures that forest resources are available for future generations as well.
Finally, the extensive third-party certifications are the highlights of the stringent forest management regulations and laws in B.C forests. These certification programs including Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) overseen by Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensure compliance of sustainable practices, build trust with the quality of the products and opens doors to the world. They also support economic and social well-being.
FII largely promotes five wood species in India that are sourced from the sustainably managed forests of B.C., Canada. These five species, namely Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF), are recommended for different applications. They are available in 23 cities across India through a strong network of 40+ stockists.
About Canadian Wood (Formerly known as Forestry Innovation Consulting India Pvt Ltd)
FII India is a crown corporation of the government of British Columbia (B.C.), the western most province of Canada. Its mandate is to promote wood products from B.C. Canada in the offshore markets and to position it as a global supplier of quality, environmentally responsible wood products from sustainably managed forests by creating awareness, spreading education through information and technical support on the wide variety of timber products available from B.C. Canada. Its brand/logo Canadian Wood was established in 2013 to reach out to the ease of understanding of its activities by its target audience globally.
