New Delhi, Oct 22: India’s total forest area ranking has improved from 10th to ninth position globally, while the country has maintained its third position in annual forest area gain, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025.
As per the assessment, Russia (832,630 ha) continues to hold the largest forest area in the world, followed by Brazil (486,087 ha), Canada (486,087 ha), and the United States (308,895 ha). The FAO report is based on data submitted by individual countries and reviewed by member nations.
India defines forest area as “all land, more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status.” This includes plantations such as rubber, coffee, and coconut.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed the FAO findings, calling India’s advancement “a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to sustainable forest management and ecological balance.” He attributed the progress to the government’s sustained policies and community-driven initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Referring to the government’s “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” campaign launched on World Environment Day in June 2024, Yadav said the movement had inspired citizens to plant trees as a symbol of love and respect for their mothers while promoting conservation, halting land degradation, and restoring ecosystems.
“This growing public participation is fostering a strong sense of collective responsibility towards a greener and sustainable future. The achievement comes on the back of effective policies and massive plantation drives by both the Centre and State Governments,” the minister said.
While celebrating the rise in overall green cover, experts have cautioned that forest degradation and unclear classification of unrecorded forests could impact biodiversity and ecosystem services. The India State of Forest Report 2023 noted a degradation of forest density over 40,709 sq km between 2011 and 2021, even as the total green cover expanded.
It also identified 92,989 sq km of forest area with potential for density upgradation, carrying a carbon sequestration potential of 636.5 million tonnes, underlining both progress and challenges in India’s forest conservation efforts. (Agencies)
