Environment News

India’s Forest Wealth

July 16 , 2026 9 hrs 0 min 29 0

A study published in Environmental and Sustainability Indicators estimated that India’s forests provide ecosystem services worth around $2.5 trillion per year.
The study analysed 45 valuation studies (2000–2024) and estimated an average value of $31,001 per hectare per year.
India’s forest and tree cover of about 8.27 lakh sq km provides services like carbon storage, water regulation, flood control, pollination, and biodiversity conservation.
Tropical dry deciduous forests contribute the highest total value, while tropical thorn forests have the highest per-hectare value.
The study highlighted the need to include forest ecosystem value in national accounting through the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework.