India in Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025
Context
• As per the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released on 22 October 2025, India has moved up to 9th position globally in terms of total forest area (earlier 10th). • India also retained its 3rd position globally in terms of annual net gain of forest area.
About FAO and GFRA
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a UN specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and promote sustainable management of natural resources.
• The GFRA is FAO’s periodic assessment providing comprehensive data on the state of the world’s forests — including forest area, change, management, and use. • It is based on official national data and classifies forests as:
• Naturally regenerating forests, including primary forests (with only native species).
• Planted forests, including plantation forests (e.g., rubber) and other planted forests.
Global Forest Scenario (GFRA 2025)
• The world’s total forest area is about 4.14 billion hectares, which is roughly 32% of total land area.
• On average, there are 0.5 hectares of forest per person globally.
• India’s share is approximately 72.74 million hectares, accounting for about 2% of the global total.
• Europe has the largest forest area (25% of the world total).
• South America has the highest proportion of forest (49% of its land area).
• Over 54% of the world’s forests are concentrated in five countries — Russia, Brazil, Canada, the USA, and China.
India’s Forest Expansion Achievements
1. Planted Forests • Bamboo plantations:
• Global bamboo resource: 30.1 million ha.
• India accounts for 11.8 million ha, around 39% of the global total.
• Bamboo expansion since 1990 largely driven by India and China.
• Rubber plantations:
• India ranks 5th globally, with 831 thousand hectares of rubber plantations.
• Global total: 10.9 million hectares.
2. Agroforestry
• India, along with Indonesia, accounts for nearly all of Asia’s agroforestry area — about 39.3 million hectares.
• Together, India and Indonesia contribute around 70% of the global agroforestry area, which totals 55.4 million hectares.
Deforestation and Net Change
• India reported a net forest gain between 1990 and 2025, primarily due to large-scale afforestation and reduced deforestation.
• India contributes 9% of global wood removals, ranking 2nd globally as of 2023.
• Wood removals refer to the quantity of wood felled and taken from forests for roundwood or fuelwood.
Forest Carbon Trends (1990–2025) Global Scenario
• The world’s forests acted as a net carbon sink, sequestering 3.6 Gt CO₂ annually (2021–2025).
• Global emissions due to net forest conversion (deforestation) were 2.8 Gt CO₂ per year, partially offsetting the forest sink effect.
• The overall net removal from forests stood at 0.8 Gt CO₂ annually, compared to 1.4 Gt CO₂ a decade earlier.
• Forest carbon sinks were strongest in Europe (1.4 Gt CO₂/year) and Asia (0.9 Gt CO₂/year).
India’s Performance
• India ranked 5th among the top global carbon sinks.
• Indian forests removed 150 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂ per year (2021–2025).
• Asia, led by India and China, showed an overall increase in forest carbon removals and a reduction in deforestation emissions.
India’s Forest Status (ISFR 2023) • Total forest cover: 7,15,343 sq km, which is 21.76% of India’s geographical area.
• Top states with largest forest cover: • Madhya Pradesh (77,073 sq km) • Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 sq km) • Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km)
• Mangrove cover: 4,992 sq km, mainly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
• Protected areas: 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 115 Conservation Reserves, and 220 Community Reserves.
Key Government Initiatives
1. Budgetary Allocations
• The MoEFCC received an allocation of ₹3,412.82 crore for 2025–26, marking a 9% increase over the previous year’s ₹3,125.96 crore.
• Revenue expenditure accounts for ₹3,276.82 crore, nearly 96% of the total allocation.
2.National Mission for a Green India (GIM)
• Launched in February 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Objectives: • Expand forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares.
• Improve the quality of existing cover on another 5 million hectares.
• Focus on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, water and carbon storage, and livelihood enhancement for about 3 million forest-dependent families.
3. National Afforestation Programme
• Objective: Regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining lands.
• Implementation structure:
• State level – State Forest Development Agency (SFDA).
• Division level – Forest Development Agency (FDA).
• Village level – Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
4. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)
•Promotes sustainable living practices and responsible consumption.
• MeriLiFE Portal encourages citizen participation in environmental conservation.
• “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” campaign links tree planting to love for one’s mother or motherland.
• The initiative has been endorsed by the UN Environment Assembly through a resolution on sustainable lifestyles.
Significance of India’s Rise
• India’s rise to 9th position globally in total forest area and retention of 3rd place in annual net gain reflects strong national commitment to sustainability and climate action.
• Highlights India’s success in afforestation, bamboo expansion, and agroforestry promotion.
• Strengthens India’s status as a global leader in climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable forestry.