India jumps to 9th spot in global forest area

India has achieved a significant milestone in global environmental conservation, moving up to the ninth position in terms of total forest area globally, as per the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bali.

India had secured 10th spot in the previous assessment. The country has also maintained its 3rd position worldwide in terms of annual forest area gain, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable forest management and ecological balance.

The global forest area in 2025 is estimated at 4.14 billion ha, which is 32 per cent of the total land area. India constitutes 72.74 million ha of the forest area constituting 2 per cent of the global forest.

More than 54 per cent of the world’s forests are in only five countries – the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the US and China.

With 832.6 million ha, Russia has the highest forest area globally, followed by Brazil (486 million ha), Canada (368.8 million ha), US (308.89 million ha) and China (227.15 million ha).

“At least 91 countries and areas reported a total land area subject to agroforestry of 55.4 million ha in 2025. The majority (39.3 million ha) of this area is in Asia, mostly South and Southeast Asia, with India and Indonesia accounting for almost 100 per cent of the regional total and for 70 per cent of the global total,” the report said.

In terms of rubber plantation, India stands fifth globally.

The report said in annual net forest gains between 2015 and 2025, India added approximately 1,91,000 hectares per year.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav credited the increase in forest area due to the Centre’s “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” scheme.

“The Prime Minister’s call for ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ and his continued emphasis on environmental consciousness have inspired people across the nation to participate actively in tree plantation and protection. 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 Modi government’s planning and policies for protection and enhancement of the forest and massive plantation efforts by state governments,” Yadav said.