India has achieved a significant milestone in global forestry rankings, climbing to the ninth position in total forest area while maintaining its third rank in annual forest area gain, according to a recent UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report. This development highlights the country’s growing commitment to sustainable forest management and ecological conservation.
The Environment Ministry attributed this success to India’s large-scale afforestation efforts and community-led forest protection programs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. These initiatives have strengthened forest cover while promoting environmental awareness and responsibility among local communities.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized that India’s rise from the 10th to the ninth spot represents a “major achievement.” He noted that public participation in tree plantation campaigns, such as the ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ initiative, along with extensive state-led drives, has played a key role in driving this positive change.
