India Rises to 9th Globally in Total Forest Area; Retains 3rd Spot in Annual Forest Gain

New Delhi: India has achieved a major environmental milestone, moving up to the 9th position globally in total forest area, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The country has also maintained its 3rd position in net annual forest area gain, reflecting consistent progress in afforestation and sustainable forest management.

Globally, forests now cover around 4.14 billion hectares — about 32% of the planet’s land area — while India contributes roughly 72.7 million hectares, accounting for nearly 2% of the world’s total forest area.

A Global Perspective

Europe and South America continue to dominate global forest distribution, while more than half of the world’s forest cover is concentrated in just five countries — Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China. Against this backdrop, India’s steady forest expansion demonstrates the country’s long-term commitment to green growth and climate resilience.

India’s Expanding Green Footprint

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the nation’s total forest cover now stands at 7,15,343 sq km (21.76% of its geographical area).

• Top forest-rich states: Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• Mangrove cover: 4,992 sq km, primarily across Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Protected areas: India hosts 106 national parks and 573 wildlife sanctuaries, safeguarding its diverse biodiversity.

India has also strengthened its position as a global carbon sink, ranking 5th worldwide with forests removing approximately 150 million tonnes of CO₂ annually between 2021 and 2025.

Green Growth Drivers

The country’s progress has been fuelled by large-scale initiatives such as the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and the National Afforestation Programme (NAP), focusing on expanding forest and tree cover, restoring degraded ecosystems, and supporting forest-dependent livelihoods. The Union Budget 2025–26 further reflects this commitment with a ₹3,412.82 crore allocation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), marking a 9% increase from the previous year.

India’s innovative campaigns like Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ initiative are also encouraging citizens to take part in climate-positive actions, promoting a culture of sustainable living.

A Step Forward in Global Climate Leadership

India’s rise in global forest rankings reaffirms its leadership in climate action and biodiversity conservation. As global deforestation rates slow down, India’s success highlights the potential of integrated forest governance and community participation in achieving a greener future.

References:

Press Information Bureau:

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2181416
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1894898
3. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1941073
4. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088477
5. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086742
6. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2115836
7. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2107821
8. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2041462

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India:

9. https://moef.gov.in/uploads/pdf-uploads/English_Annual_Report_2024-25.pdf
10. https://moef.gov.in/green-india-mission-gim

Ministry of External Affairs:

11. https://www.mea.gov.in/press
    releases.htm?dtl%2F38161%2FThe_3rd_Voice_of_Global_South_Summit_2024

Food and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations / Global Forest Data:

12. https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/global-deforestation-slows–but-forests-remain-under
    pressure–fao-report-shows/en
13. https://www.fao.org/home/en/
14. https://www.fao.org/forest-resources-assessment/en/
15. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2dee6e93-1988-4659-aa89
    30dd20b43b15/content/FRA-2025/forest-extent-and-change.html#forest-area
16. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2dee6e93-1988-4659-aa89
    30dd20b43b15/content/cd6709en.html
17. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/12322cae-5b20-4be2-927a
    72a86fd319e9/content
18. https://www.fao.org/4/ae352e/AE352E11.htm

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