<span style="color: #222222;">Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has said that India manages its forest areas and their resources in a scientific manner based on the principle of sustainability. Mr Yadav said this while addressing a function virtually on the occasion of International Day of Forests. The event was hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Mr Yadav said, India highly values the traditional knowledge and wisdom of local people and follows a participatory approach in forest management along with gender equity.<br />''<br />''The Minister said that use of traditional Ayurvedic system, medicinal plants, non-timber forest produce as source of medicines and forest-based livelihood are deeply ingrained in Indian lifestyle. He said that India has a legal provision for recognising the rights of tribal and forest dependent communities through Forest Rights Act.</span><br />