India Achieves 9th Position Globally in Forest Coverage While Maintaining 3rd Rank in Annual Forest Growth

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report indicates that global forest area currently encompasses 4.14 billion hectares.

New Delhi:

India has advanced to the ninth position worldwide in total forest coverage while maintaining its third-place ranking in annual forest area expansion, according to a recent report published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The Environment Ministry has attributed this achievement to India's extensive afforestation initiatives and community-driven forest conservation efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted that India's progression from tenth to ninth position represents a significant accomplishment in sustainable forest management and ecological preservation.

The minister emphasized that increasing public participation in tree planting campaigns, particularly through the 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' initiative, along with comprehensive state government programs, has substantially contributed to this advancement.

"Here is a reason to rejoice for all Indians. We have achieved 9th rank in terms of forest area at the global level as compared to 10th spot in the previous assessment. We have also maintained our 3rd position globally in terms of annual gain. Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025 has been launched by FAO in Bali," Yadav shared on X.

According to the FAO report, the world's total forest area amounts to 4.14 billion hectares, covering 32 percent of the planet's land surface.

More than half (54 percent) of these forests are concentrated in just five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China.

India follows Australia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, positioning itself among the world's top 10 forest-rich nations.

China recorded the highest annual net increase in forest area between 2015 and 2025 at 1.69 million hectares per year, followed by the Russian Federation with 942,000 hectares and India with 191,000 hectares.

Other countries demonstrating notable forest expansion include Turkiye (118,000 ha), Australia (105,000 ha), France (95,900 ha), Indonesia (94,100 ha), South Africa (87,600 ha), Canada (82,500 ha), and Vietnam (72,800 ha).

The assessment revealed that Asia is the only region to register an increase in forest area between 1990 and 2025, primarily driven by gains in China and India.

Globally, the annual rate of net forest loss has decreased by more than half, from 10.7 million hectares in the 1990s to 4.12 million hectares during 2015-2025.

The FAO noted that Asia's forest expansion has played a crucial role in decelerating global deforestation, which continues to be most severe in South America and Africa.

The report states that 20 percent of the world's forests are now within legally established protected areas, while 55 percent are managed under long-term plans.