Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025
Table of Contents
The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 22 October 2025, highlights India’s growing success in expanding forest cover and carbon absorption capacity.
India has moved up to 9th position globally in total forest area, maintained 3rd rank in annual forest area gain, and ranked 5th among top global carbon sinks, removing 150 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂ per year during 2021–2025.
What is the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA)?
The GFRA is a periodic global report by FAO that provides official data on forest area, change, management, and use across countries.
It is the only worldwide forest assessment based on official national statistics.
Purpose of GFRA
- Monitor global forest resources and trends
- Support sustainable forest management (SFM)
- Assess forests’ role in carbon storage and biodiversity
- Guide global environmental policies
Global Highlights – GFRA 2025
| Parameter | Global Status (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total Global Forest Area | ~4.14 billion hectares |
| % of Earth’s Land Area | ~32% |
| Per Capita Forest Area | ~0.5 ha/person |
| Top Regions by Forest Area | Europe (25%), South America (49% forested) |
| Top 5 Countries with Largest Forests | Russia, Brazil, Canada, USA, China |
| Net Annual Forest Loss | Fell from 10.7 million ha (1990–2000) → 4.12 million ha (2015–2025) |
India’s Rank in GFRA 2025
| Category | India’s Rank/Status |
|---|---|
| Total Forest Area (2025) | 9th in the world |
| Net Annual Forest Area Gain | 3rd globally |
| Top Global Carbon Sinks | 5th position |
| CO₂ Removal | 150 million tonnes/year (2021–2025) |
| Share in Global Forest Area | ~2% (72.7 million ha) |
FAO’s Classification of Forests
FAO classifies forests into two main categories with subtypes:
| Category | Subcategory | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Naturally Regenerating Forests | Primary Forests | Forests with native species and no human interference |
| Planted Forests | Plantation Forests | Commercial plantations like rubber |
| Other Planted Forests | Non-commercial planted forests |
India’s Success in Expanding Planted Forests
Bamboo Plantations
- Global Bamboo Area: 30.1 million ha
- Asia’s Share: 70% (21.2 million ha)
- India’s Share: 11.8 million ha (≈40% of Asia’s total)
- Global increase of 8 million ha (1990–2025) mainly due to India and China
Rubber Plantations
- India ranks 5th globally with 831,000 hectares
- Contributes to the global total of 10.9 million hectares
Agroforestry in India
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Asia’s Agroforestry Area | 39.3 million ha (100% shared by India & Indonesia) |
| Global Contribution | 70% of world’s total (≈55.4 million ha) |
| India’s Role | Major contributor to Asia’s agroforestry growth |
Deforestation and Net Changes (1990–2025)
- India achieved a net forest gain due to massive afforestation efforts.
- Deforestation reduced, while new plantations increased.
- India now contributes 9% of global wood removals, ranking 2nd globally (2023).
Note: “Wood removals” = total quantity of wood extracted for timber and fuel.
Forest Carbon and Emission Trends (1990–2025)
Global Scenario
- World’s forests act as a net carbon sink, absorbing 3.6 billion tonnes CO₂ annually (2021–2025).
- Deforestation emissions: 2.8 billion tonnes CO₂/year.
- Net CO₂ removal: 0.8 billion tonnes annually.
- Top Regions: Europe (1.4 Gt CO₂ removed), Asia (0.9 Gt CO₂ removed).
India’s Contribution
- Ranked 5th among top global carbon sinks.
- Forests remove 150 Mt CO₂/year (2021–2025).
- Significant reduction in deforestation-related emissions.
India’s Forest Status (as per ISFR 2023)
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Forest Cover | 7,15,343 sq km (21.76% of India’s area) |
| Top States (by Area) | 1️⃣ Madhya Pradesh – 77,073 sq km 2️⃣ Arunachal Pradesh – 65,882 sq km 3️⃣ Chhattisgarh – 55,812 sq km |
| Mangrove Cover | 4,992 sq km (mainly in A&N Islands, Gujarat, Maharashtra, WB) |
| Protected Areas | 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 115 Conservation Reserves, 220 Community Reserves |
Government Initiatives to Enhance Forest Cover
National Mission for a Green India (GIM)
- Launched: February 2014 (under NAPCC)
- Target:
- Expand 5 million ha of new forest/tree cover.
- Improve quality on another 5 million ha.
- Focus: Ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and livelihoods for 3 million forest-dependent families.
National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
- Objective: Regeneration of degraded forest areas.
- Implementation:
- SFDA at State level
- FDA at Division level
- JFMCs at Village level
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)
- Promotes sustainable lifestyles and individual responsibility.
- Supported by the United Nations Environment Assembly.
- Key Initiatives:
- MeriLiFE Portal for citizen participation.
- Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam – Encouraging tree plantation as a symbolic act of love for the motherland.
Budgetary Push for Green Growth (2025–26)
| Year | Allocation | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | ₹3,125.96 crore | — |
| 2025–26 | ₹3,412.82 crore | +9% |
| Revenue Expenditure | ₹3,276.82 crore (96% of total) | +8% |
Key Takeaways for Exams
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Report Name | Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 |
| Released by | FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) |
| India’s Global Rank (Total Forest Area) | 9th |
| India’s Rank (Net Forest Gain) | 3rd |
| India’s Rank (Carbon Sink) | 5th |
| India’s CO₂ Removal | 150 Mt/year (2021–2025) |
| Global Forest Area | 4.14 billion ha (32% of land) |
| India’s Forest Cover (ISFR 2023) | 21.76% of total area |
| Major Government Schemes | GIM, NAP, Mission LiFE |
| Top State in Forest Cover | Madhya Pradesh |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA)?
The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) is a periodic report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It provides comprehensive data on the world’s forests — their area, change, management, and use — based on official national statistics. The GFRA helps countries track deforestation, afforestation, and forest carbon stock trends to support sustainable forest management (SFM).
What is the rank of India in forest cover in the world (2025)?
As per the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, India ranks 9th globally in total forest area, showing an improvement from the 10th position in the previous assessment. India accounts for about 72.7 million hectares of forest area, which is roughly 2% of the global total.
Which organization releases the GFRA report?
The GFRA report is released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) — a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for global food, agriculture, and natural resource management.
What is India’s rank among top global carbon sinks?
India ranks 5th globally among the top carbon sinks as per GFRA 2025. Indian forests remove approximately 150 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂ per year (2021–2025), contributing significantly to global climate regulation.
Name the top three Indian states with the highest forest cover.
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023):
1. Madhya Pradesh – 77,073 sq km
2. Arunachal Pradesh – 65,882 sq km
3. Chhattisgarh – 55,812 sq km
What are the objectives of the National Mission for a Green India (GIM)?
The National Mission for a Green India (GIM), launched in February 2014 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aims to:
Increase forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares.
Improve quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectares.
Restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity.
Boost livelihoods of over 3 million forest-dependent families.
Strengthen ecosystem services such as water, carbon storage, and biodiversity.
What is the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025?
The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 (GFRA 2025) is the latest edition of FAO’s periodic forest report, released on 22 October 2025.
It provides updated data on:
Global forest area (4.14 billion hectares)
Trends in deforestation and afforestation
Carbon sink capacity of forests
Regional forest performance, including India’s rise to 9th position globally.
What is the rank of India in the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025?
In the GFRA 2025, India ranks 9th globally in total forest area, 3rd in net annual forest area gain, and 5th among global carbon sinks. These rankings highlight India’s strong efforts in afforestation, agroforestry, and sustainable forest management
The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 underscores India’s consistent efforts in forest expansion, carbon absorption, and sustainable management. India’s rise to 9th globally in total forest area and continued 3rd rank in forest gain reflect its strong policy commitment under Digital India, Mission LiFE, and Green India Mission. With growing emphasis on afforestation, bamboo cultivation, and community forestry, India stands as a global model in balancing development and environmental conservation.
Source: PIB
