India at FAO COFO 28: Forest Cover, Bonn Challenge and Climate Action
India showcased its efforts in restoration of forests and landscapes during the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) which took place from 28 September to 2 October, 2026 in Rome, Italy. Emphasizing sustainable forest management, India described it as a comprehensive strategy for restoration of landscapes and actions taken in climate change and communities. India emphasized about the presence of 82.74 million hectares of forest and tree cover covering 25.17% of geographical area in India, Bonn Challenge progress, carbon sink obligations and restoration programs.
The Committee on Forestry (COFO) is the highest-level global intergovernmental platform on forestry within FAO. It provides direction to the work of FAO, facilitates international cooperation and provides policy and technical advice on forest related issues. COFO meets biennially at FAO headquarters in Rome.
The 28th Session is taking place from 28 September to 2 October, 2026 alongside the 10th World Forest Week. The 2026 session will address the theme of ‘Forests and Their Contribution to Food Security, Resilience and Prosperity’, with forest and landscape restoration being one of the key topics.
India noted that the forest and tree cover in the country amounted to 82.74 million hectares or 25.17% of the geographical area of the country. This figure is in line with the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which states the forest cover and tree cover of 71.53 million hectares and 11.20 million hectares, respectively.
In terms of the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2025, India ranked 9th in the world in terms of total forest area and 3rd in terms of net annual increase in forest area.
Forests and trees are an essential part of the climate commitment of India. India reported that it created a carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2021.
With regard to India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035, ratified in March 2026, India set itself a target of creating an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 compared to 2005.
India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested lands by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge. As per the second progress report on Bonn Challenge in India, 21.76 million hectares of lands have been restored between 2011 and 2020.
The Bonn Challenge is an international restoration commitment that was made in 2011. The international commitment under Bonn Challenge is to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested lands by 2030. The restoration pledge of India has been increased from 13 million hectares to 26 million hectares.
India further mentioned landscape-based restoration projects as well.
Through Aravalli Green Wall, nearly 6.45 million hectares of degraded lands in Aravalli landscape will be restored. Aravalli landscape consists of areas located in Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, where greening activities are currently being done in some portions of the land.
Coastal landscape on the other hand includes the MISHTI project aimed at restoring the mangroves. Mangroves play an important role in coastal ecosystem preservation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood generation.
Further, India has announced that its Ramsar Sites database has reached to the 101. Its most recent Ramsar site mentioned by PIB is Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh, declared as the state’s first Ramsar site in August 2026.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) was launched by India as a plantation project involving all of India’s government institutions and community members. The initiative has seen the planting of more than 3.5 billion saplings according to the Indian statement at COFO 28.
India also stressed that restoring forests involves much more than government bodies only. It emphasized the need for international cooperation, focusing on country-driven approaches, capacity building, technology transfer and results.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized the need for sustainable finance for restoration efforts, especially for developing countries, which include increased access to climate, biodiversity and blended finance.
India urged greater coherence among forestry activities of FAO, the Global Forest Goals and other international forest-related processes.
Moreover, India encouraged South-South and triangular cooperation for sharing experience and knowledge in restoration.
India confirmed its readiness to cooperate with FAO and member countries on the proposal for the UN Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation, 2027-2036.
The approach aims to connect degraded ecosystem restoration and productive forest landscapes.
The number of FASTag Annual Passes issued till date has now touched the figure of…
On September 28, 2026, Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah has unveiled the new "Extradition…
World Heart Day is marked every year on 29 September for raising awareness concerning CVDs,…
On September 28th 2026, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to look into the…
India had the most successful day at the Asian Games 2026 so far in Day…
The Indian Armed Forces have sent a team of 60 members to Oskemen, Kazakhstan, for…