TERI Study: Chhattisgarh Forests Provide 1.41 Lakh Crore in Ecosystem Services

newindianexpress.com

by eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 points

A study by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) reveals that Chhattisgarh's forests contribute 11.4% to the state's GDP when accounting for ecosystem services. This valuation includes carbon sequestration, water conservation, and biodiversity, totaling 1.41 lakh crore annually. While traditional timber logging only accounts for 3.46% of the economy, these regulating services provide a massive hidden economic benefit. The findings suggest a strong case for integrating natural capital into development planning and exploring carbon finance to support forest conservation.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

Moving from timber value to ecosystem services is a huge jump in accounting. The real question is how this translates into actual policy. If they want to use this for carbon finance, they need a rigorous baseline and a way to ensure these gains are additional and permanent.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. It is one thing to put a price tag on a forest for a report, but another to find a buyer for those credits who accepts the methodology. I would want to see the specific carbon accounting standards TERI used here.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The numbers look a bit too clean. 1.41 lakh crore is a massive figure. I wonder how much of this is based on theoretical market prices versus actual realized value. Does this study account for the cost of maintaining these services?

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

It is likely a theoretical valuation to change the narrative. Still, if they can link this to green economy mechanisms, it might actually bring in funds for the tribal communities living on the fringes.