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Pixabay depreciated sharply.
However, the trend is clear as India’s economy is expanding
fast and its population is growing. In contrast Japan’s economic
growth is much slower and its population is shrinking.
A Central government circular that allows private entities
to establish plantations on forest land has critics warning of

biodiversity loss and the exclusion of traditional communities.
The government justifies the decision as “an effort to align
with the evolving framework for restoration of forest land and
utilisation of silviculturally available sustainable harvest from
forests”.
Forestry Minister, Raja Juli Antoni, emphasised that MFP Ritwick Dutta, an environmental lawyer and founder of
Phase 5 provides a collaborative platform for stakeholders the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment argued that
to promote transparent, inclusive and results-oriented forest the interchangeable use of the terms ‘afforestation’ and
management balancing economic development with environmental ‘plantations’ in the circular dilutes a recognised legal and

protection. ecological distinction.
British Ambassador Dominic Jermey highlighted that the “Afforestation is intended to restore natural forest ecosystems,
initiative also advances climate and biodiversity goals while plantations are commercial and monocultural crops meant for
creating sustainable economic opportunities, including for harvesting. This conflation undermines the statutory objective
MSMEs seeking to compete in international markets. of conservation by permitting economically driven activities to
be justified as ecological restoration,” Dutta said.
INDIA

Updated figures lower GDP Furniture sector braces for BIS QCO
Revisions to India’s GDP data has revealed it will take longer Implementation of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
than expected to surpass Japan as the world’s fourth-largest Quality Control Order (QCO) on the furniture sector will begin
economy. this month.
The government updated GDP figures using a new base Last year on 30 October 2025, the Department for Promotion
year estimating the size of the economy at 345.47 trillion of Industry and Internal Trade of India (DPIIT) held a meeting
rupees, in nominal terms, for the fiscal year ending this month. under the chairmanship of the Joint Secretary, Shri Sanjiv,
This is lower than forecast under the previous data series. where discussions were held on effective implementation of
Using an average exchange rate for the period, GDP is the Furniture Quality Control Order (QCO), 2025.

estimated at about US$4 trillion for the fiscal year. Japan’s Earlier this year DPIIT, in exercise of powers conferred by
GDP reached US$4.4 trillion in 2025. section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior 2016), after consulting Bureau of Indian Standards, had made
government officials already refer to India as the world’s a dispensation of statutory order notifying the enforcement of
fourth-largest economy. The International Monetary Fund had the Furniture Quality Control will come in effect after on 13
previously forecast that India would reach that milestone in February 2026 for large scale manufacturers and all importers.
the current fiscal year. That is now unlikely as India’s currency For micro and small manufacturers the implementation