This paper reports on a wide range of research that estimates the value of ecosystem services (ESS) in India, including those related to forests, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs. Estimates for forest services are based on an extensive Indian Green Accounting study, from which the values of timber and non-timber (fodder, water recharge, prevention of soil erosion, etc.) have been taken. There is an added non-use value of forests as well as an update of the value for forest sequestration based on the latest estimates of trends in forest management. 

The total value of services from these ecosystems is estimated Rs.1.4 trillion (US$29 billion) in 2009 as a central estimate. This amounts to about 3.0 percent of the country’s GDP in that year. Of the total value, wetlands are the largest at 48 percent. Of the other services, coral reefs and forests each account for 22 percent; followed by grasslands at 7 percent, and mangroves at 2 percent.

Publication date
Type of publication
Document
Objective
Mitigation
Approach
Community based
Collection
Eldis
Cross-sectoral enabler
Economics and financial decision-making
CTCN Keyword Matches
Reforestation
Restoration and protection of coral reefs
Grassland management
Constructed wetlands
Wetland management
India
Mangroves conservation and rehabilitation
Landscape multifunctionality
Natural wetlands and green infrastructure
Sustainable forest management
Fodder crops
Ecosystems and biodiversity
Mitigation in the pulp and paper industry