India has advanced to the 9th 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. The country has also maintained its 3rd position worldwide in terms of annual forest area gain, reaffirming its progress in sustainable forest management and ecological balance.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav shared the update on X, noting that India’s climb from 10th to 9th rank reflects the success of the Union government’s consistent policies and programmes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These initiatives focus on forest conservation, afforestation, and community participation in environmental stewardship.
The Minister credited the achievement to a combination of policy planning, large-scale plantation drives, and the active involvement of state governments. He also highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, which has encouraged citizens nationwide to plant trees in honour of their mothers — an initiative that has deepened public engagement in environmental causes.
Yadav said that this growing sense of collective responsibility among citizens is helping India move towards a greener and more sustainable future. The country’s continued rise in forest area and expansion of green cover underscores the success of its environmental policies and its commitment to global ecological goals.
-ANI