New Delhi: India has achieved a significant environmental milestone, advancing to the 9th position globally in terms of total forest area, up from the 10th spot in the previous assessment. The country has also successfully maintained its 3rd position worldwide for the annual net gain in forest area, according to the newly released Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA) 2025 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali.
The achievement has been hailed as a reason for national pride, with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, attributing the progress to a combination of sustained policy and large-scale afforestation efforts.
“Here is a reason to rejoice for all Indians. We have achieved 9th rank in terms of forest area at the global level as compared to 10th spot in the previous assessment. We have also maintained our 3rd position globally in terms of annual gain,” the Minister stated.
The positive trend is credited to the Modi government’s focused planning and policies for the protection and enhancement of forests, alongside massive plantation drives undertaken by State Governments.
A key factor highlighted is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call to plant ‘Ek Ped Ma ke Naam’ (One Tree in Mother’s Name). This nationwide push for environmental consciousness is reported to be successfully building awareness and increasing the involvement of communities and individuals in afforestation. Officials believe this growing public participation is crucial in ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.
India’s total forest area now stands at approximately 72.7 million hectares, contributing roughly 2% to the world’s forest cover. The report reaffirms India’s consistent commitment to sustainable forest management and ecological balance on the global stage.