Chandigarh: In a move aimed at integrating environmental resources into official economic planning, the Chandigarh administration has constituted an interdepartmental group (IDG) to compile the UT’s environment accounts in line with international standards.The group has been formed by the finance department following directions from the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation. The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) will act as the nodal agency for preparing the accounts under the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), a globally accepted framework for measuring the relationship between the economy and the environment.The IDG will coordinate among various departments for the collection, validation and integration of environmental and economic data required for the exercise. The initiative is expected to create a comprehensive database of the UT’s natural assets, including forests, water resources, land, biodiversity, energy use and environmental expenditure.Officials said the database would help policymakers incorporate environmental costs, resource depletion and sustainability concerns into development planning and decision-making.The panel will be chaired by the director statistics, Chandigarh administration, and comprise representatives from the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, forest and wildlife department, science and technology and renewable energy department, tourism, agriculture, environment, animal husbandry and fisheries, public health, the municipal corporation’s horticulture and electrical divisions, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) and other departments. The finance and planning officer will serve as member convener.Officials said the environment accounts framework complements conventional economic indicators by quantifying natural resources and environmental assets alongside economic activity. The initiative is expected to strengthen evidence-based policymaking on climate change, resource management, urban planning and sustainable development.What are Environment Accounts?Prepared under the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)Integrate environmental data with economic statisticsCover forests, water, land, biodiversity and energy resourcesTrack environmental expenditure and resource useHelp govts factor environmental costs into development decisionsWidely used for sustainable development and climate planning worldwide
