Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025

• 24 Oct 2025

 Source:PIB

India has secured the 9th position globally in terms of total forest area, as per the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).  India also retained its 3rd position worldwide in annual forest area gain.

• Top countries by forest area are Russia (832.6 million ha), Brazil (486 million ha) and Canada (368.8 million ha).
  • India’s forest area stands at 72.7 million hectares. 
• Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA): The GFRA, conducted every 5 years by the FAO, assesses global forest resources based on official national data. 
  • This data is vital for policymaking, international conventions (like those on climate change and biodiversity), and promoting sustainable forest management globally.
• India's Key Initiatives Related to Forest Conservation:
  • Key Forest Legislations in India:
    • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: It restricts the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes and ensures central government approval for such use to prevent large-scale deforestation.
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: It provides legal protection to wildlife species and their habitats and establishes National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves.
    • National Forest Policy, 1988: It sets the goal of bringing 33% of India’s total land area under forest and tree cover and promotes participatory forest management involving local communities.
    • Forest Rights Act, 2006: It recognizes the rights of traditional forest dwellers and tribal communities and empowers them to manage, conserve, and protect forest resources sustainably.
  • Other Key Initiatives: 
    • National Mission for a Green India (GIM): GIM is part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) aiming to enhance ecosystem services and carbon sequestration.
    • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): CAMPA utilizes funds from diverted forest land for compensatory plantation.
    • Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiative: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiative is a national campaign encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers.

Read More: India State of the Forest Report 2023