Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025

• 29 Sep 2025

Source: PIB

Why in News ?

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released 8th issue of its environmental accounts publication, “Environmental Accounting on Forest – 2025”

• This is the first dedicated report on forest accounting, based upon the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) Framework.

What is Environmental Accounting on Forest 2025?

• About: It is compiled with the objective of presenting comprehensive information on forest accounts at both the national and state levels, in accordance with the SEEA framework. The publication is compiled in two separate volumes.
  • Volume I outlines the methodology and national-level data for various forest ecosystem accounts.
  • Volume II presents state and UT-level data on decadal changes in forest assets, extent, condition, and services, along with a review of related studies in select regions.
• Key Findings: 

  • Physical Asset Account (2010–11 to 2021–22)

    • India’s forest cover increased by 17,444.61 sq. km (22.50%), reaching 7.15 lakh sq. km (21.76% of geographical area)

    • Major contributors to forest cover gains: Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
  • Extent Account (2013–2023):
    • Net increase of 3,356 sq. km in forest extent, primarily due to reclassification and boundary adjustments.
    • Top states showing significant gains in Recorded Forest Area (RFA): Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
  • Condition Account (2013–2023):
    • Focuses on ecosystem quality, particularly the growing stock (volume of usable wood in living trees).
    • Growing Stock increased by 305.53 million cubic metres (cum), reflecting a 7.32% rise.
    • Largest contributors to increase in growing stock: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
  • Service Accounts (Ecosystem Services Valuation)
    • Provisioning Services (timber and non-timber products): Valuation reached about 0.16% of GDP in 2021–22.
    • Top contributors: Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala.
  • Regulating Services (carbon retention and climate regulation):
    • Valuation rose to about 2.63% of GDP in 2021–22.
    • Top contributors: Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam.

UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) 

• The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) is an international statistical framework that integrates economic and environmental data to measure both the environment’s contribution to the economy and the economy’s impact on the environment.
• It was developed by the United Nations, European Commission, and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2012.
• India formally adopted the SEEA framework in 2018.

Read More: Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services Project

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. With reference to the 'Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA)', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an EU initiative to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on climate change with developing countries.

2. India is a member country of the Alliance.

Options:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (a)