India jumps to 9th position globally in total forest rea: FAO report

India has climbed to the ninth position globally in total forest area, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the achievement in a post on X, noting that India has also retained its 3rd position worldwide in annual forest area gain, reaffirming the country’s steady progress in sustainable forest management. In the previous assessment, India was ranked 10th. The Minister said the upward move reflects the success of policies and programmes implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, focusing on forest protection, afforestation, and community participation.

Yadav credited initiatives such as the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign for inspiring citizens across the country to actively participate in tree plantation and conservation efforts. He added that growing public involvement is strengthening the nation’s collective commitment towards a greener, more sustainable future. The progress, he said, is the result of the Modi government’s continued focus on forest conservation and the large-scale plantation drives undertaken by state governments.