Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Forest Department and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, jointly conducted a national workshop at Nava Raipur focusing on Forest Ecosystem Services and their potential contribution to State GDP. The event served as a forum for national experts to discuss the integration of ecosystem services into economic planning.
In his welcome address, Sunil Kumar Mishra, IFS, APCCF (Land Management), highlighted Chhattisgarh’s groundbreaking initiative to evaluate Forest Ecosystem Services and their economic impact on State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP). This endeavour makes Chhattisgarh the pioneer state in India to undertake such an assessment, supporting Green GDP integration.
Dr. J.V. Sharma, Senior Director of Land Resources Division at TERI, presented the study and praised the Forest Department’s initiative. His presentation covered nature-based solutions, afforestation projects, carbon financing, assessment methods, and the Finance Commission’s involvement in ecosystem valuation.
PCCF & HoFF V Sreenivasa Rao emphasised the significance of recognising both tangible and intangible forest benefits economically. He noted that ecosystem service valuation is essential for effective budget planning, fund allocation, and sustainable resource management.
Former PCCF & HoFF Chhattisgarh, Dr. R.K. Singh, advocated for establishing a dedicated cell within the Forest Department for ecosystem services valuation. He stressed the inclusion of tribal perspectives and suggested collaboration with international experts.
Former PCCF & HoFF Chhattisgarh, Dr. A.K. Singh, recommended using Hindi for better understanding among field staff regarding Forest Ecosystem Services valuation reports. He also emphasised the importance of increasing forest revenue generation.
The technical sessions included virtual presentations from Shri Jagdeesh Rao, CEO of Living Landscapes, Hyderabad, who discussed natural resource accountancy and Green GDP. Dr. Madhu Verma, Senior Economic Advisor at IORA, New Delhi, shared perspectives on ecosystem service valuation in India.
Anirudh Soni, Fellow at TERI, explained the integration of forest-based ecosystem services with State GDP using the SEEA framework. His presentation addressed ecosystem contributions to the economy, social well-being, and biodiversity conservation.
Pranjul Chauhan, Associate Fellow at TERI, presented the implementation roadmap for ecosystem service valuation in Chhattisgarh’s forests. He discussed the involvement of forest fringe villages and the development of training programmes.
International experts Professor Mark Everard from the University of West England, Bristol, UK, and Dr. Shivaji Chavan, Director of Wildlife Protection Foundation, Mumbai, contributed virtually. Dr. Anil Shrivastava, Project Scientist at Chhattisgarh State Center for Climate Change, delivered the closing remarks.
The workshop concluded with productive discussions on forest ecosystem valuation‘s role in economic planning and sustainable forest management in Chhattisgarh.
