Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
UPSC frequently examines the economic valuation of natural resources, ecosystem services, blue carbon initiatives, and the integration of environmental considerations into economic planning (e.g., Green GDP, Natural Capital Accounting). Mangroves are a critical and vulnerable ecosystem in India, making their valuation and conservation highly relevant.
Mangrove ecosystems provide a wide range of provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services crucial for ecological sustainability and human well-being. Ecosystem Services Valuation (ESV) is a method to quantify the economic benefits of these services, many of which are non-market in nature and often undervalued in conventional development planning.