Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025

Environmental Accounting on Forest - 2025 is a groundbreaking report released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), marking its 8th consecutive issue. This report is crucial for UPSC aspirants, particularly for GS Paper 3, as it provides comprehensive insights into forest accounts using the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) framework. Last Updated: 2025-09-29

Key Facts About Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025

• The report is divided into Volume I and Volume II, covering national and state-level data respectively.
• India's forest cover increased by 17,444.61 sq. km, reaching a total of 7.15 lakh sq. km, which is 21.76% of the geographical area.
• Major forest cover gains were observed in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• There was a net increase of 3,356 sq. km in forest extent from 2013–2023.
• Significant gains in Recorded Forest Area were noted in Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
• The growing stock increased by 305.53 million cubic metres, marking a 7.32% rise.
• Provisioning Services were valued at 0.16% of GDP in 2021–22, with major contributions from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala.
• Regulating Services increased to 2.63% of GDP in 2021–22, with top contributors being Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam.

India's Strategic Environmental Goals

The Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025 report is pivotal in understanding India's commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation. By adopting the SEEA framework in 2018, India aligns its economic growth with ecological sustainability. This integration is crucial for achieving India's strategic goals, such as increasing forest cover and enhancing ecosystem services, which are vital for maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change.

Related Government Schemes/Policies

• National Afforestation Programme: Aims to increase forest cover and improve the quality of existing forests.
• Green India Mission: Focuses on enhancing ecosystem services and increasing forest-based livelihood income.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): Utilizes funds for afforestation and regeneration activities.

UPSC Relevance

• GS Paper 1: Geography - Forest Resources
• GS Paper 3: Environment and Ecology - Environmental Conservation
• Prelims: Questions on forest cover statistics, SEEA framework, and related schemes.
• Mains: Analytical themes on sustainable development, forest management, and economic-environmental integration.

FAQ Section

• What is Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025?
  It is a report by MoSPI using the SEEA framework to provide insights into India's forest accounts at national and state levels.
• Why is Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025 important?
  It highlights India's progress in forest conservation, crucial for sustainable development and meeting environmental goals.
• What are the key features of the report?
  The report includes data on forest cover increase, growing stock, and the economic value of ecosystem services, with forest cover reaching 21.76% of India's geographical area.