Aside from its contribution to green cover, the forest department’s contribution to the state economy has been steadily increasing in recent years. At current prices, the forestry and logging sub-sector added Rs. 8,853 crore in 2022-23, accounting for 3.60 percent of the primary sector’s GVA and 0.74 percent of the total Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in the State.
The GVA at current prices of forestry and logging increased threefold, from Rs 2,465 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 8,853 crore in 2022-23, at a compound annual growth rate of 17.33%. Gross Value Added (GVA) is a productivity metric that measures an organization’s or department’s contribution to the economy.
Forests provide significant environmental benefits such as carbon storage, nutrient cycling, water and air purification, and wildlife habitat maintenance. Timber, bamboo, teak poles, fuel firewood, charcoal, and beedi leaves are among the products of Telangana’s forests, which provide livelihood opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Despite this temporary setback in 2019-20, the forestry and logging sub-sector increased by 1.32 percent from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
The amount of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere and stored within the forest ecosystem, primarily in living biomass, soil, and, to a lesser extent, dead wood and litter, is referred to as forest carbon stock. Carbon stock is essential for purifying air and water while also serving as a tool for flood control and protecting natural resources.
From 2019 to 2021, the total forest carbon stock in the state increased by 6.68 percent. During the same time period, deadwood increased by 102.70% in this larger carbon pool. In 2021, the state had a carbon density of 76.36 tonnes per ha, a 3.50 percent increase over 2019.
Harvesting of different species by Forest Development Corporation
Telangana State Forest Development Corporation was formed with the goal of growing plantations to meet the demands of wood-based industries. Over 32,951.39 ha, the corporation has been growing plantations of various species such as eucalyptus, bamboo, cashew, teak, medicinal plants, and others to meet the pulpwood demand of various paper mills in the state.
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