We’re always planning for the future. As the species that’s able to ‘think’, we’re securing our homes, our children’s future. In the process, sometimes we forget that the resources we need to truly protect are the ones that we seem to ignore: water, air, flora, fauna, and soil.

To truly acknowledge the link between natural resource consumption and economic development, conserving and protecting these resources is imperative. However, we only seem to appreciate and nurture an asset once we have assigned a monetary value to it.

‘Natural Capital’, simply put, is the economic value of nature. Therefore, calculations must take into consideration the intangibles, such as boundless beauty, as well as the tangibles, such as the cost per unit of a natural resource.

Natural Capital is the term used to describe the value of resources / flow of goods and services that ecosystems provide (e.g. water, climate regulation, resources to produce food) which are vital for economic growth but have traditionally been undervalued or worse still, left unvalued. This is the case even in today’s era of rapidly increasing supply and demand-side pressures on natural resources.  Organizations need to identify these trends in order to mitigate risks and optimize opportunities for themselves and their clients.

The YES BANK-Saevus Natural Capital Awards programme will endeavour to find, reward and showcase the finest natural capitalists of India, comprising individuals, groups and corporations that are dedicated towards spearheading biodiversity growth and environmental stewardship. Finalists and award winners will be felicitated at a high profile awards ceremony in New Delhi in July 2013.

The eminent jury panel for the awards comprises legendary Indian naturalists, photographers and environmentalists who have contributed in building natural capital.