Being major biodiversity hotspots, forests provide critical goods and services like timber and firewood
Conservation of forests in the Himalayas featured prominently during the 2nd international dialogue on Himalayan ecology. India depends on the Himalayas for natural resources, and forests which are rich in biodiversity are an important resource for mountain states of the country.
Jai Raj, principal chief conservator of forests, Uttarakhand, who was one of the speakers at the conference, said, “We are saving our forests very much.” As part of forest conservation and protection, Himalayan states are demanding green bonus for maintaining their forest cover. Experts gathered at the event talked about the gross environmental product and how it can be used to evaluate forests. According to Raj who quoted an estimate from 1990s, Himalayan forest is worth Rs 943 billion per year. The ecosystem service from India's forests stands at Rs 6.96 lakh crore annually.
Tiger reserves demarcated inside forests also provide several ecosystem services. The Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand provides value to the tune of Rs 14.7 billion annually, a study done by Bhopal-based Indian Institute of Forest Management said. Similarly, Kanha national park is worth Rs 16.5 billion annually and the Sundarbans Rs 12.8 billion annually.
Says Anil Joshi, director, Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, “We are tired of being called an ecological state. We should review our forest policy.” Talking about forest fires, Joshi questioned, “What kind of policy we have that we cannot save our forests?”
Joshi, who has worked extensively in the Himalayas, believes in delegating community forest management to the locals. Saying that the forest department has no culture to speak of, he stressed on cultually-inclusive forest management taken up by the community. Talking about green bonus, Joshi said that it should be handed over to panchayats.
Anil Vaidya, chief conservator of forests, Himachal Pradesh, spoke on why the state is implementing forest accounts to understand their role as ecosystem services. “In Himachal Pradesh, most people live in rural areas and depend on forests for their existence,” he said. Forests form the catchment of five major rivers in northern India. Being major biodiversity hotspots, forests in the state provide critical goods and services like timber and firewood.
The 12th and 13th finance commission has given special grants for states having more than 50 per cent forest cover. As forest is an environmental asset, planners should realise its importance and for this reason, there is a need to quantify it, the expert added.
According to Vaidya, “Only timber is accounted for (when we speak of forest value) and not pollination and other services.” There is a lack of information “on true contribution of forests to the economy”. Forests also play complementary role in agriculture and horticulture, and are a tourist attraction. Vaidya added that forest accounts would improve social allocation and sectoral planning and help monitor the state of the economy.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
India Environment Portal Resources :
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.