Environmental Accounting on Forests – 2025

Chandigarh, Sept 25, 2025: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 8th consecutive edition of its environment accounts publication, “Environmental Accounting on Forests – 2025”, during the inaugural session of the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (CoCSSO). This is the first dedicated publication on forest accounting, compiled in line with the UN System of Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA) framework, adopted by MoSPI in 2018.

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Forest Cover and Physical Asset Account

• 2010-11 to 2021-22: India’s forest cover increased by 17,444.61 sq. km (22.5%), reaching 7.15 lakh sq. km, or 21.76% of geographical area.
• Major state-wise gains: Kerala (4,137 sq. km), Karnataka (3,122 sq. km), Tamil Nadu (2,606 sq. km)
• Reflects effective regeneration and conservation efforts across the country

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Extent Account

• 2013–2023: Net increase of 3,356 sq. km in forest extent, primarily due to reclassification and boundary adjustments
• Top states by increase in Recorded Forest Area (RFA) share: Uttarakhand (6.3%), Odisha (1.97%), Jharkhand (1.9%)

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Condition Account – Growing Stock

• Growing stock: Measures volume of usable wood in living trees
• 2013–2023: Increased by 305.53 million cubic metres (7.32%)
• Major contributors: Madhya Pradesh (136 million cum), Chhattisgarh (51 million cum), Telangana (28 million cum)
• UT contribution: Andaman & Nicobar Islands – 77 million cum

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Provisioning Services (Timber & Non-Timber Products)

• 2011-12 to 2021-22: Value rose from ₹30.72 thousand crore to ₹37.93 thousand crore, contributing 0.16% of GDP
• Top states: Maharashtra (₹23.78k crore), Gujarat (₹14.15k crore), Kerala (₹8.55k crore)

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Regulating Services – Carbon Retention

• 2015-16 to 2021-22: Carbon retention value rose by 51.82%, from ₹409.1 thousand crore to ₹620.97 thousand crore, equivalent to 2.63% of GDP
• Leading contributors: Arunachal Pradesh (₹296k crore), Uttarakhand (₹156.6k crore), Assam (₹129.96k crore)
• Highlights forests’ critical role in climate change mitigation and contribution to national environmental goals

(Source: PIB)