India climbs to 9th spot globally in forest area, ranks 3rd in annual forest gain

India has moved up one position in the global forest area ranking, securing the 9th spot in the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025. The country also retained its 3rd position worldwide in terms of annual forest gain, reflecting its progress in sustainable forest management.

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said the improvement reaffirms India’s commitment to ecological balance and sustainable forestry practices. He credited the success to government-led initiatives on afforestation, forest protection, and public participation inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s environmental vision.

Yadav highlighted the “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” campaign, launched on World Environment Day last year, as a key driver of citizen participation in tree plantation and environmental restoration. The campaign encourages people to plant trees in honour of their mothers and commit to preserving the planet.

While the country’s green cover has increased, experts have also cautioned about forest degradation and lack of clarity on unclassified forest lands, which could affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. The 2023 India State of Forest Report had earlier noted significant forest density loss alongside an increase in plantations.