What is the value of our forests? Right now, as per the net present value (npv), a hectare (ha) of forestland costs anything between Rs 5.8 and 9.2 lakh.
The amount represents more than just timber. It is actually a one-time payment that a user has to make for diverting forestland for non-forest use. The pooled funds -- managed by a central body called the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (campa) -- are then used for afforestation and reforestation.
But the figure has been criticised because the country's forestland has never been evaluated vis--vis the intangible benefits of forests in various bio-geographic regions (see 'Too Cut & Dried', Down To Earth , July 31, 2005).
Keeping that in view, on September 26, 2005, the Supreme Court (sc) set up an expert committee to identify the parameters to properly evaluate forests and identify projects eligible for exemption from npv payment. The committee -- headed by Kanchan Chopra, director of the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi -- submitted its recommendations in May.
The committee has done its job and even gone a step beyond the terms of reference laid down by the sc: it has recommended a management system for npv funds and given protected areas (pas) an inviolable status. But whether the recommendations will be accepted is yet to be seen. As of now, the report is open for public comment till July, when the apex court will take a decision on it.
