India Rises to 9th Globally in Forest Area, Retains 3rd Rank in Annual Forest Gain

India has made a major leap in global environmental rankings, moving up to the 9th position worldwide in total forest area as per the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. Additionally, India continues to hold the 3rd position in annual forest area gain, affirming its leadership in forest conservation and sustainable land management. This achievement was shared by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav via social media, attributing the progress to public participation and robust environmental policies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Highlights from GFRA 2025

The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) is a flagship report by FAO, released every five years, providing comprehensive data on global forest trends.

• India’s Performance in GFRA 2025,
• Total forest area rank: Now 9th globally, up from 10th in the previous report
• Annual forest area gain: Maintains 3rd place globally
• These figures reflect a consistent and effective approach to forest expansion and ecological restoration.

Policy and Public Engagement Driving India’s Forest Growth

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav credited India’s rise in the rankings to a multi-pronged strategy involving.

1. Central Government Schemes and Campaigns

• The Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation, and State CAMPA funds have laid the foundation for large-scale plantation and reforestation efforts.
• The campaign “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam”, launched by the Prime Minister, has galvanized public participation in tree planting as a tribute to mothers, adding a cultural dimension to environmentalism.

2. State Government Contributions

• Massive plantation drives undertaken by state forest departments have significantly expanded green cover.
• States like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh continue to lead in forest conservation programs.

3. Community-Led Initiatives

• India’s success also owes much to community forestry models, tribal participation, and Panchayat-level green initiatives, which empower locals to protect and regenerate forests.

Why India’s Forest Rank Matters

India’s rise in global forest rankings carries several national and international implications,

1. Climate Commitments

Forests act as carbon sinks, critical to meeting India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This progress strengthens India’s case as a responsible climate leader on the global stage.

2. Biodiversity Conservation

Increasing forest area supports rich biodiversity, particularly in India’s Western Ghats, Northeast, Himalayas, and Sundarbans—all critical ecosystems facing threats from climate change and development pressures.

3. Sustainable Livelihoods

Expanding forest cover creates livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal populations, especially through Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and eco-tourism.