INDIA RISES IN GLOBAL FOREST RANKINGS
India has made a remarkable leap in global forest rankings, climbing to the 9th position worldwide in total forest area, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 (GFRA 2025). The report shows that India’s total forest cover now stands at 72.74 million hectares, marking a significant achievement in its efforts toward environmental sustainability and green development.
(Source: FAO – Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025)
In addition to this milestone, India has retained its 3rd place globally in annual forest gain, underscoring the success of its afforestation programs and conservation projects. The new data reaffirms India’s position as a global leader in reforestation and environmental stewardship.
(Source: Business Standard)
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVES PAYING OFF
The improvement in India’s ranking is the outcome of decades of work driven by both government initiatives and community-based efforts. Massive tree-planting drives, ecosystem restoration projects, and the promotion of agroforestry have all contributed to this success.
(Source: The Hindu)
Key government programs such as the National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Green India Mission, and state-level plantation campaigns have been instrumental. Together, they have helped rehabilitate degraded forest lands and restore biodiversity hotspots.
TECHNOLOGY AND DATA IMPROVEMENTS BOOST ACCURACY
According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), advanced satellite mapping and remote-sensing technologies have made forest-cover monitoring more accurate and transparent. Regular assessments are carried out to ensure that data on forest health, density, and biodiversity remains updated.
(Source: Times of India)
Furthermore, the FAO, in collaboration with India’s environment ministry, has been conducting training workshops to ensure data consistency and global comparability for the FRA 2025 report. This ensures that India’s progress is recorded with credible and standardized methods.
(Source: FAO India News)
INDIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT ON GREEN GROWTH
India’s rise in global forest rankings places it among the top ten forest-rich countries, alongside Brazil, Russia, Canada, and China. While these nations have vast natural forest reserves, India’s success lies in actively increasing forest area through planned restoration and community involvement.
(Source: Times of India – World Forest Rankings)
This achievement aligns with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which aim to restore ecosystems and combat climate change through nature-based solutions. India’s efforts contribute not only to national ecological balance but also to global carbon-sequestration goals.
CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN
Despite these achievements, experts caution that increasing forest area alone is not enough. The quality and biodiversity of forests must also be maintained. Issues such as deforestation, forest fires, invasive species, and urban expansion continue to threaten long-term sustainability.
(Source: The Economic Times)
Sustainable management, continuous monitoring, and involving local communities in decision-making are seen as key to ensuring the resilience of India’s forest ecosystems.
LOOKING AHEAD
The FAO’s report acknowledges India as one of the few developing countries making consistent progress in expanding forest cover. It credits the combination of policy commitment, scientific monitoring, and public participation for this green success story.
India’s next steps include scaling up urban forestry, promoting climate-resilient plantations, and leveraging technology such as AI-based forest mapping to predict and prevent degradation. As India continues to balance economic growth with environmental protection, its green progress sets an inspiring example for other nations striving for sustainability.
