New Delhi: India has moved up to the 9th position globally in terms of total forest area, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. The country has also retained its 3rd rank worldwide in annual forest area gain, underscoring its sustained efforts in environmental conservation.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, who shared the development on social media platform X. In the previous FAO assessment, India had been placed 10th globally in total forest area.
According to the Minister, the improvement reflects the success of various government initiatives focused on afforestation, forest protection, and community participation in environmental conservation. He credited the achievement to the government’s sustained policies and programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which have promoted tree plantation and forest management across the country.
Yadav highlighted that nationwide campaigns such as the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ initiative have significantly boosted public participation in tree planting and protection efforts. “This growing public participation is fostering a strong sense of collective responsibility towards a greener and sustainable future,” he stated.
The Minister added that the milestone demonstrates India’s commitment to sustainable forest management and ecological balance, supported by both central and state-level afforestation efforts.
The Global Forest Resources Assessment, conducted periodically by the FAO, provides comprehensive data on forest resources, management, and trends across countries, helping to track global progress towards sustainable forest development.
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