JICA considers ₹1,270 crore loan for Telangana Forest Department
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Forest Department has prepared a preliminary proposal to seek loan assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the comprehensive development of the state’s forest sector.
A delegation from JICA visited Aranya Bhavan and held detailed discussions with forest officials. The meeting was chaired by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force C Suvarna.
Focus on plantations, wildlife and eco-tourism
Suvarna briefed the Japanese delegation on key forest programmes being implemented in Telangana. She said the state was undertaking large-scale plantation drives under the Vanamahotsavam programme to increase green cover.
She added that the proposed JICA-supported project would focus on eco-tourism development, strengthening tiger reserves, wildlife conservation, urban forest development, large-scale plantations, restoration of degraded forests and prevention of forest fires.
Five-year proposal with 85% JICA funding
The Forest Department has prepared a preliminary proposal worth ₹1,270 crore for a five-year period. Of the total cost, 85% is proposed to be funded through a JICA loan, while the remaining 15% will be borne by the Telangana government.
JICA representatives said the agency was currently implementing forest-sector projects in 10 Indian states as part of efforts to strengthen India–Japan bilateral relations. They described Telangana’s proposed programmes as comprehensive and aligned with future needs.
The delegation said the projects would serve as models for forest conservation and climate change mitigation, and expressed satisfaction over working with Telangana.
Suvarna said international cooperation had become essential as funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority were declining. She recalled the Forest Department’s successful implementation of projects funded earlier by the World Bank.
She said the JICA partnership would play a crucial role in modernising the forest sector while maintaining ecological balance.
Forest officials felicitated the JICA delegation on behalf of the Telangana government.
The meeting was attended by JICA representatives Iha Chinatsu and Shimojo Hitomo, JICA India representative Siddharth Parameswaran, PCCF (Wildlife) Vinay Kumar, PCCF Ratnakar Jauhari, chief conservators of forests Priyanka Varghese, S J Asha and Kshitija, along with district forest officers.
