India has moved up one position to rank ninth in the world for 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 third-place position globally in annual forest area gain, marking a major stride in environmental conservation and sustainable forest management.
As per the latest assessment, India’s forest cover stands at 72.7 million hectares. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav hailed the achievement as a significant milestone, crediting it to the Modi government’s sustained efforts in forest protection, afforestation, and community-driven environmental action.
Globally, Russia leads with the largest forest area at 832.6 million hectares, followed by Brazil (486 million ha), Canada (368.8 million ha), and the United States (308.9 million ha). Other nations ahead of India include China (227 million ha), the Democratic Republic of Congo (139 million ha), Australia (133.5 million ha), and Indonesia (95.9 million ha).
Yadav highlighted that India’s progress reflects the success of national policies focused on forest preservation and large-scale plantation drives implemented across states. He credited the Prime Minister’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, launched on World Environment Day, for inspiring mass public participation in tree planting.
The campaign, which urges citizens to plant a tree in their mother’s name, has strengthened environmental awareness and fostered a culture of shared responsibility for ecological protection. The growing movement symbolizes India’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable future, combining government planning with grassroots action to expand the nation’s forest cover.