India’s Expanding Green Footprint
India’s Expanding Green Footprint
Key Highlights
Introduction:
India has achieved a significant milestone in global forest statistics by advancing to the 9th position worldwide in terms of total forest area, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025released on 22 October 2025. In the previous assessment, India was ranked 10th. India has also maintained its 3rd position globally in the annual net gain of forest area.
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve sustainable management of natural resources, including forests. The GFRA is FAO’s periodic assessment of the state of the world’s forests, providing comprehensive data on forest area, change, management, and use.
GFRA 2025: India in Global Context
Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China
The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA)
The Global Forest Resources Assessment is the only worldwide assessment based on official national data. FRA identifies two broad categories of forest: naturally regenerating and planted. Within these broad categories, it identifies primary forests – those with only native species – as a subcategory of naturally regenerating forests. Under the subcategories of planted forests, it identifies plantation forests (for example, rubber) and other planted forests (forests that are planted but do not satisfy the criteria of a plantation).
India’s success in expanding planted forests
contributing to a global total of 10.9 million ha.
Agroforestry in India
Deforestation and Net Changes
“Wood removals” are the amount of wood felled and removed from the forest. Removals can be for roundwood or fuelwood production.
Forest emissions and removals trends 1990–2025 (FAO Analytical brief)
Global Scenario
India’s Achievements
India’s Forest Status & Changes
Key Initiatives by Government of India to Enhance Forest Cover
1. Budgetary Allocations
2. National Mission for a Green India (GIM)
3. National Afforestation Programme
The forest cover data shows that the world is making measurable progress through reduced deforestation in some countries and the expansion of forest area in some others. India’s rise to 9th globally in total forest area, and its maintenance of 3rd place in net annual gain, shows what strong national commitment can achieve. India’s consistent efforts in expanding forest cover, promoting sustainable forestry, and implementing missions like GIM underscores its commitment to environmental conservation and global climate action.
References:
Press Information Bureau:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India:
9. https://moef.gov.in/uploads/pdf-uploads/English_Annual_Report_2024-25.pdf
10. https://moef.gov.in/green-india-mission-gim
Ministry of External Affairs:
11. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F38161%2FThe_3rd_Voice_of_Global_South_Summit_2024
Food and Agriculture Organizationof the United Nations / Global Forest Data:
12. https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/global-deforestation-slows–but-forests-remain-under-pressure–fao-report-shows/en
13. https://www.fao.org/home/en/
14. https://www.fao.org/forest-resources-assessment/en/
15. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2dee6e93-1988-4659-aa89-30dd20b43b15/content/FRA-2025/forest-extent-and-change.html#forest-area
16. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/2dee6e93-1988-4659-aa89-30dd20b43b15/content/cd6709en.html
17. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/12322cae-5b20-4be2-927a-72a86fd319e9/content
18. https://www.fao.org/4/ae352e/AE352E11.htm
- Total Forest Cover: As per the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India’s total forest cover is 7,15,343sq km, which is 21.76% of the country’s geographical area.
- Top States with largest forest cover: Area wise top three states having largest forest cover are Madhya Pradesh (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km).
- Mangrove Cover: India’s mangrove cover stands at approximately 4,992 sq. km, concentrated mostly in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
- Biodiversity & Protected Areas: India has 106 national parks, 573 wildlife sanctuaries, 115 conservation reserves, and 220 community reserves, protecting a diverse range of flora and fauna.