Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Forest Department, in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), organized a national workshop on Forest Ecosystem Services Valuation (FEV) and its potential contribution to the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at the Dandkaranya Auditorium in Nava Raipur on Friday.
In the workshop, the officers of forest department and national experts discussed the assessment and its possible integration of ecosystem services into economic planning, so that it will effectively reflect in the government policy.
Today, CG Forest Department, in collaboration with The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, organized a national workshop at Aranya Bhavan on 'Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Forest Ecosystem in Chhattisgarh and its Potential Contribution to the State's GDP. pic.twitter.com/UMGA0Hd82x
— CG Forest & Climate Change Department (@ForestCgGov) February 21, 2025
In the inaugural speech Sunil Kumar Mishra, IFS, APCCF (Land Management), highlighted Chhattisgarh's contribution in valuing Forest Ecosystem Services and said, Chhattisgarh is first in India which pioneered to undertake such an exercise aimed at contributing to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP).
Dr. J.V. Sharma from TERI praised the proactive measures taken by the Forest Department and discussed various nature-based solutions, including afforestation, reforestation, carbon financing, and methodologies for carbon stock assessment. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with senior forest officials to develop effective strategies for ecosystem valuation.
PCCF & HoFF V. Sreenivasa Rao stressed the need to recognize the economic significance of both tangible and intangible forest benefits, noting that proper valuation is essential for improving budgetary planning and sustainable resource management.
Former PCCFs Dr. R.K. Singh and Dr. A.K. Singh both contributed valuable insights, with Dr. R.K. Singh recommending the establishment of a dedicated cell within the department for ecosystem services valuation and advocating for the inclusion of tribal perspectives. Dr. A.K. Singh suggested using simpler language in reporting on these valuations to improve understanding among field staff.
The technical sessions featured presentations from leading experts, including Jagdeesh Rao, who addressed natural resource accountancy and the importance of Green GDP. Dr. Madhu Verma discussed the significance of ecosystem service valuation in India, while Anirudh Soni presented on integrating forest-based ecosystem services with State GDP using the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework.
Shri Pranjul Chauhan outlined a roadmap for implementing ecosystem service valuation in Chhattisgarh, emphasizing the role of forest fringe villages and the need for comprehensive training programs for department staff. International voices, including Professor Mark Everard and Dr. Shivaji Chavan, also contributed insights virtually, enhancing the discussion on sustainable management and policy formulation.