FAO report ranks India among top nations for expanding Global Green cover through community action and conservation
India’s green ambitions have borne fruit. According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali, India now ranks ninth globally in total forest area — a notable rise from its 10th position in 2020.
The report credits India’s growing commitment to sustainable forestry, community participation, and consistent afforestation efforts for this achievement. With 72.7 million hectares of forest cover, the country also holds the third position worldwide in annual forest area gain, reflecting steady progress toward ecological balance and climate resilience.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav hailed the news as “a major achievement in sustainable forest management and ecological conservation,” attributing the success to policy consistency and grassroots involvement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Global Forest Rankings: India in the Top 10
The FAO report highlights that India’s steady green growth comes amid global challenges of deforestation and land degradation. The world’s top forested countries remain:
- Russia – 832.6 million hectares
- Brazil – 486 million hectares
- Canada – 368.8 million hectares
- United States – 308.9 million hectares
- China – 227 million hectares
- Democratic Republic of Congo – 139 million hectares
- Australia – 133.5 million hectares
- Indonesia – 95.9 million hectares
- India – 72.7 million hectares
While India’s forests may not be the largest in size, the pace and persistence of its growth are among the world’s fastest — a point that places the country in the global spotlight for sustainable land stewardship.
A Decade of Green Policy and People Power
Minister Yadav noted that India’s upward climb reflects the success of several flagship initiatives aimed at reversing forest loss and nurturing biodiversity. “This progress underscores the government’s commitment to environmental protection through afforestation, conservation, and community-led action,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Central to this movement is the Prime Minister’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign — a simple yet powerful idea encouraging citizens to plant at least one tree in their mother’s name. Launched on World Environment Day, the initiative has inspired millions to connect emotionally with environmental conservation.
“The Prime Minister’s call has transformed tree planting into a national movement of gratitude and responsibility,” Yadav added, crediting state governments, forest departments, and volunteers for their collective role in greening India’s landscape.
Grassroots Afforestation and Policy Support
India’s green cover improvement is the result of synergised national and state-level efforts. Large-scale plantation drives, restoration of degraded forests, and scientific forest management have played crucial roles.
The National Mission for a Green India (GIM) and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) have provided both institutional and financial backbone for forest restoration.
Under CAMPA, funds collected from industrial diversions of forest land are reinvested into afforestation and habitat development. These efforts have resulted in millions of saplings planted annually, many of which are nurtured by community forest groups and self-help collectives.
Meanwhile, India’s Forest Survey of India (FSI) conducts biennial assessments that have shown a consistent upward trend in forest and tree cover. The 2025 FAO ranking now validates that national progress is translating into global recognition.
Technology and Tradition: A Balanced Model
India’s success lies in blending traditional wisdom with modern tools. Community forestry — deeply rooted in rural India — ensures that local residents become custodians of nearby forests. This approach is reinforced by remote sensing, GIS mapping, and drone-based monitoring, which enhance transparency and efficiency in tracking forest growth and health.
Eco-restoration projects in the Western Ghats, Sundarbans, and Northeast India are using this hybrid model to protect biodiversity while offering livelihood opportunities. Indigenous practices such as sacred groves and seasonal plantation rituals continue to play an important role in preserving local ecosystems.
Urban Forestry: Greening Cities, Inspiring Citizens
Beyond rural areas, India’s green revolution has reached its cities. As part of the government’s 100-day target, 111 city forests have been sanctioned to rejuvenate urban green spaces. These mini-forests act as carbon sinks, cool microclimates, and provide natural recreation zones for city dwellers.
Municipal bodies and citizen groups have embraced urban afforestation through Miyawaki forests, rooftop gardens, and green corridor projects. The momentum reflects a wider shift — from policy-led conservation to people-powered sustainability.
Why India’s Forest Growth Matters Globally
India’s rise in the FAO rankings is not merely symbolic — it holds profound implications for the global climate agenda. As one of the world’s most populous nations, India’s success in sustainable forestry contributes directly to international carbon reduction targets and biodiversity commitments.
According to FAO, sustainable forest growth in developing countries like India can:
- Enhance global carbon sequestration capacity.
- Protect soil and water resources.
- Support livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
- Contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 — Life on Land.
By maintaining its momentum, India is strengthening its position as a key player in global environmental governance, from COP summits to biodiversity forums.
Collective Action for a Greener Tomorrow
Minister Yadav emphasized that the rise in India’s forest rank is not a one-time achievement but part of a long-term vision. “The government’s mission is to ensure that every citizen participates in protecting the planet. Our collective actions today will secure a sustainable tomorrow,” he said.
The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign embodies this spirit of participatory environmentalism — turning every individual into a stakeholder in climate action. Schools, corporates, and NGOs have adopted the initiative, making tree planting both a civic duty and a personal tribute.
Environmentalists believe such emotional and cultural connections are vital to sustaining momentum. “When people see trees as family, forests will thrive,” remarked an ecologist from the Indian Institute of Forest Management.
From Growth to Guardianship
As India celebrates this green milestone, experts urge that focus must now shift toward forest quality, not just quantity. Protecting old-growth forests, enhancing wildlife corridors, and ensuring indigenous participation are key to long-term sustainability.
The government’s upcoming National Forestry Plan 2030 is expected to focus on these goals while aligning with India’s net-zero emissions pathway. With the right balance of science, policy, and public participation, India’s forests could become both a climate shield and a cultural legacy.
A Greener, Stronger India
India’s leap to ninth place in global forest area is more than a statistical rise — it’s a reaffirmation of faith in sustainable forestry as the cornerstone of national progress. From policymakers to planters, scientists to schoolchildren, this success belongs to every Indian who believes that a tree planted today secures life for tomorrow.
In a world grappling with climate anxiety, India’s story stands tall — rooted, resilient, and relentlessly green.
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