Alappuzha: Our forests are invaluable. What if we take up an interesting exercise of evaluating the market prices of the rich natural resources in our forests? Well, Munnar wildlife warden SV Vinod has already done it for us here. As per his evaluation on a hectare of forest land in the Thiruvananthapuram forest area, the market value of the rich water and plant resources, combined with fertility rates and the protection rendered against soil erosion and violent storms stood at a whopping Rs 4,85,98,890 (approximately Rs five crores). 

The wildlife officer has brought out the stats in his bid to create an awareness among people on the importance of forests.

Forests occupy 29.10 percent of the total land in Kerala. The dense forest cover primarily helps us in attaining ecological balance. 

Apart from this, forests provide us water for agricultural and industrial purposes. Wood is often used as fuel, and the jungle tends to enrich the fertility of soil as well. The market value estimated for such services rendered stood at Rs 12,73,460 for every hectare.   

In addition to this, the estimated rate for water storage and purification, prevention of soil erosion, and for enabling pollution control stood at Rs 15,58,120 (per hectare).

The eco balancing services including protection of genes and pollination were worth Rs 47,310 per hectare. Going further, the reserve stocks including wood and the carbon content were priced at Rs 4.572 crores per hectare. 

All these rates amounted up to Rs 4.85 crores per hectare. The current market price of oxygen was considered while evaluating the prices.

“I took up this tedious exercise to raise awareness on the importance of forest resources. Water and air are basically invaluable, they help us sustain our lives. But all I did was just a calculation based upon the current market values of these commodities,” says SV Vinod.