India Rises to 9th Position Globally in Forest Area, Maintains 3rd in Annual Gain: GFRA 2025
India has achieved a significant milestone in global forest conservation, rising to 9th place worldwide in total forest area according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 by the FAO. The country also retains 3rd place in annual forest area gain, reflecting sustained efforts in ecological restoration. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav credited this progress to robust policies, public participation, and leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key initiatives driving India’s forest growth include the Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation, state CAMPA funds, and campaigns like “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam”, which encourage citizen participation in tree planting. State forest departments and community-led forestry programs have further strengthened green cover across the country.
India’s rising forest rank supports its climate commitments, acts as a carbon sink, and enhances biodiversity conservation across regions such as the Western Ghats, Northeast, Himalayas, and Sundarbans. The expansion also provides sustainable livelihoods through Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and eco-tourism, benefiting rural and tribal communities.
This achievement underscores India’s position as a global leader in forest management and environmental stewardship.
