India has climbed to the ninth position globally in total forest area, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. The announcement was made by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who hailed the achievement as a testament to India’s commitment to sustainable forest management.
India Retains 3rd Rank in Annual Forest Area Gain
- India also maintained its third position worldwide in annual forest area gain, reflecting consistent progress in afforestation and conservation initiatives. The country had ranked 10th globally in the previous assessment.
Policy Success Under PM Modi’s Leadership
- Minister Yadav attributed the success to the policies and programmes implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, emphasizing efforts in forest protection, afforestation, and community participation.
- He highlighted the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, which has inspired citizens across India to actively engage in tree plantation and conservation activities.
Global Forest Overview (GFRA 2025 Highlights)
- Total global forest area (2025): 4.14 billion hectares
- Share of total land area: 32%
- Per capita forest area: 0.50 hectares
- Distribution by forest domain:
- Tropical: 45%
- Boreal: 28%
- Temperate: 17%
- Subtropical: 11%
Regional Share of Global Forest Area:
- Europe: 25%
- South America: 20%
- North and Central America: 19%
- Africa: 16%
- Asia: 15%
- Oceania: 4%
Top Five Countries by Forest Area:
- Russian Federation
- Brazil
- Canada
- United States of America
- China
Together, these five nations account for 54% of the world’s total forest area.
Significance
India’s improved ranking underscores its balanced approach to development and ecological preservation, reaffirming its global leadership in climate action and biodiversity conservation.
(Source: GFRA 2025)
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