India Forest Area Ranking 2025

India has made significant progress in forest conservation and ecological restoration, achieving remarkable results in the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali.

According to the report, India now ranks 9th globally in total forest area, moving up from the 10th position in the previous assessment. Moreover, India maintains its 3rd position in annual forest area gain, demonstrating consistent efforts in forest management and sustainable land use.

This milestone highlights the success of India’s forest cover expansion initiatives and reflects the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shared this achievement, attributing it to robust government policies and active public participation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Highlights of GFRA 2025

The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 is a flagship report published every five years by the FAO. It provides comprehensive data on global forest trends, including total forest area, annual gain, and conservation efforts. India’s performance in the 2025 assessment can be summarised as follows:

• Total forest area rank: 9th globally, up from 10th in the previous report.

• Annual forest area gain: Maintains 3rd position globally.

These figures demonstrate India’s effective strategies in forest area growth and sustainable forestry development programmes, highlighting the progress in India’s forest area ranking in 2025.

Government Schemes Driving Forest Growth

India’s rise in the India forest area ranking 2025 is backed by a multi-pronged approach led by central and state governments, supported by local communities.

Central Government Initiatives

• Green India Mission: Focused on increasing forest cover and enhancing ecosystem services.

• Compensatory Afforestation and CAMPA funds: Support large-scale plantation and restoration projects.

• Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam Campaign: Encourages public participation in tree planting campaigns in India, integrating environmentalism with cultural values.

State Government Contributions

• States such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have been at the forefront of state-wise forest cover in India, significantly increasing forest area growth.

• These efforts play a key role in maintaining the country’s position in the India forest area ranking in 2025.

Community-Led Initiatives

• Local communities, tribal groups, and Panchayat-level programmes actively contribute to forest protection, showing how India is improving forest cover through community participation.

• This approach empowers locals and strengthens forest conservation initiatives in India, reinforcing India’s position in the India forest area ranking 2025.

Importance of India’s Forest Rank

India’s improved forest area ranking has multiple national and global implications:

Climate Commitments

• Forests act as carbon sinks, essential for meeting India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

• The achievement strengthens India’s position as a responsible climate leader in the global forest ranking, reflecting the significance of India’s forest area ranking in 2025.

Biodiversity Conservation

• Increasing forest area growth supports rich biodiversity, especially in the Western Ghats, Northeast, Himalayas, and Sundarbans.

• Understanding the impact of India’s forest expansion on biodiversity is crucial for preserving endangered species and fragile ecosystems.

Sustainable Livelihoods

• Forest expansion generates livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal communities through Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and ecotourism.

• The role of afforestation and conservation programmes in India’s forest ranking ensures these communities benefit from sustainable resource management, contributing to the India forest area ranking 2025.

Final Thoughts

India’s rise to 9th position in the 2025 global forest area ranking is a testament to combined efforts by the government, communities, and citizens. Initiatives such as the Green India Mission, afforestation India projects, and tree plantation campaigns in India have played a pivotal role in this success.

The country’s achievement not only strengthens its forest conservation initiatives in India but also contributes to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable livelihoods.