New Delh: India has achieved a major milestone in global environmental conservation, moving up to the ninth position worldwide in terms of total forest area, as revealed by the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025. The report was released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Bali, Indonesia.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the significant achievement, noting that the country has improved its ranking from the 10th position in the previous assessment.
“This remarkable progress underscores the success of the government’s policies and programmes, aimed at forest protection, afforestation, and community-led environmental action,” Mr. Yadav stated.
Further solidifying its commitment to ecology, India continues to hold the third position in the world in terms of annual forest area gain. This consistent performance reflects the nation’s unwavering dedication to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Mr. Yadav specifically credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grassroots initiative, ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ (One Tree in the Name of Mother), which he said is “inspiring citizens across the country to plant trees and contribute to a greener and cleaner tomorrow.” The achievement, the Minister added, is a testament to the combined efforts of both central and state governments in policy implementation and large-scale plantation drives.