Chhattisgarh became the first state in the country to start ecosystem evaluation for Green GDP

Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to launch an initiative to link forest ecosystem services with Green GDP. This initiative will underline Chhattisgarh’s sustainable development by measuring the comprehensive value of ecosystem services.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that the Chhattisgarh government is preparing a vision document in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Developed India 2047 vision and Sustainable Development Goals, which includes the concept of ecosystem services valuation conducted by the Forest Department. This holistic approach underlines the commitment to maintain a balance between environmental protection and economic progress in the state, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for future generations. Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said that ecosystem services valuation will not only make budgetary planning more streamlined, but will also provide direction to future strategies, make fund allocation more effective and strengthen forestry development efforts. This process will prove to be an important step towards sustainable development and better management of resources.

It is noteworthy that the Joint Forest Management Programme in the state of Chhattisgarh has further empowered the local communities. With national parks like Guru Ghasidas, Kanger Valley and Indravati, Chhattisgarh has immense potential for nature-based tourism. Local residents are being actively involved in the management of facilities like jungle safaris, nature trails and eco-camping, which has not only promoted socio-economic development but also strengthened environmental conservation efforts. 44 percent of Chhattisgarh’s land area is covered by forest area. It is a strong base for the rural economy of the state and plays an important role in the livelihood of millions of people. These forests provide various direct and indirect benefits. Other important intangible benefits derived from forests are often neglected and are not properly evaluated. These include services such as carbon absorption for maintaining climate balance, pollination which is extremely important for agriculture, cycling of nutrients, improvement in soil fertility and biodiversity conservation. Forests also play an important role in flood and disease control, managing water flow and reducing the risk of vector-borne diseases.

Additionally, forests recharge and purify water, improve air quality by providing pure oxygen, and provide recreational as well as emotional satisfaction through beautiful landscapes and biodiversity-rich areas. These forests also have deep spiritual and religious significance as they preserve tribal heritage and traditions through sacred sites and areas such as Devgudis. In addition, Chhattisgarh’s forests are the origin of many rivers, which help in sustainable water flow, watershed protection and enriching the soil with organic matter necessary for agriculture and livelihoods. These direct benefits have a huge economic impact on the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). All these benefits encourage rural industries and livelihoods and contribute significantly to the economic development of the state.