Manipur Forests in National Income Accounts : An Objective Assessment

Manipur forests are repository of various flora and fauna producing both timber and non-timber forest products. In terms of revenue receipts, Timber Forest Products (TFPs) accounts for 30 % to 73% to the total values of forest produces while Non-Timber Forest Produces (NTFPs) accounts for 26% to 69% to the total value of forest produces in the State. In spite of a vast forest cover of 77.09% of the State's geographical area, the relative contribution of the forestry and logging sub-sector to the State Domestic Product is found very negligible and have varied from 3.11% to 3.72% of the Gross State Domestic Product of Manipur at current prices while the relative contribution of the forestry and logging sub-sector have varied from 3.44% to 4.09% to the Net State Domestic Product of Manipur at current prices during the last seven years from 2004-05 to 2010-11. The present study aims at to make an objective assessment of the contribution of forestry and logging sub-sector to the State Domestic Product of Manipur and environmental significance of Manipur Forests as natural capital for the well being of the State.