Context: Uttarakhand has not just become the first Indian state to launch a Gross Environment Product Index, but also the first in the world to go beyond ecosystem services to ecosystem growth.

About Gross Environment Product Index

• GEPI is a novel method to evaluate ecological development caused by human interventions.

• This innovative metric aims to quantify the ecological wealth of a region by assessing both the benefits derived from the environment and the contributions made to enhance it.

• Unlike traditional environmental metrics that focus solely on ecosystem services, GEP includes the idea of ecosystem growth, making it the first such index globally.

• This approach could potentially redefine how we measure and value environmental health in relation to economic growth.

Four pillars of GEPI

• 1) Air:

• The air component of GEP assesses air quality and the impact of human activities on atmospheric health.

• It considers both pollution levels and efforts to reduce emissions or enhance air purification through natural or engineered processes.

• 2) Soil:

• Soil health is a critical indicator in the GEP Index.

• It measures the quality of soil, considering factors such as fertility, contamination levels, and soil conservation practices.

• The aim is to ensure that the soil remains productive and capable of supporting agriculture and natural vegetation.

• 3) Trees (Forest):

• The forest component of GEP goes beyond simply counting the number of trees.

• It evaluates the types of trees planted, their survival rates, and their ecological value.

• For instance, broad-leafed trees, which are more beneficial for the environment, receive greater weightage in the index compared to less preferred species like pine.

• This approach encourages the planting of more ecologically valuable trees and ensures sustainable forest management practices.

• 4) Water:

• The water component examines both natural and human-made water bodies, assessing their quantity and quality.

• It includes the evaluation of water conservation efforts, such as the creation of man-made reservoirs like Amrit Sarovars, and compares them with natural water sources like rain-fed lakes and rivers.

• The index aims to reflect the overall water availability and the effectiveness of conservation initiatives.

Formula

• GEP index = (Air- GEP index + Water- GEP index + Soil-GEP index + Forest-GEP index.

Significance:

• Help assess the impact of anthropological pressure on our ecosystem and natural resources.

• Also Calculates what we put back into the environment. 

• Quantifies contributions of natural ecosystems to the economy and overall welfare.

• It provides a robust and integrated method for assessing a state's ecological growth, capturing various facets of environmental well-being as a result of human actions.

Criticisms and Concerns

• Despite its innovative approach, the GEP Index has faced some criticism.

• It is argued that the index oversimplifies complex environmental issues.

• It is suggested that activities impacting the environment should be categorized into those that should be prohibited, regulated, or promoted.

• There is a need for stringent environmental impact assessments and cautions against using human interventions to justify environmental degradation.

• There is also concern about the scientific rigor behind the GEP formula.

• Some experts have questioned the clarity and transparency of the methodology used to develop the index.

• It is pointed out that the values presented in the media are not well understood, and there is uncertainty about how GEP would be implemented at a national level.

Road Ahead

• Despite the criticisms, the GEP Index has garnered support from key stakeholders, including the Uttarakhand government.

• The index has the potential to offer a meaningful alternative by quantifying the contributions of natural ecosystems to the economy and human well-being.

• By translating these diverse contributions into a single monetary value, GEP reflects the true worth of natural capital.