Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025

30.10.2025

1. Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025

Context
The FAO’s GFRA 2025 report ranks India 9th globally in total forest area and 3rd in annual net forest gain, underlining major gains in afforestation and forest management policy.​

GFRA – What and Why?

• Flagship global assessment by FAO (every five years) covering the state, changes, and management of forests in 236 countries, based on a mix of satellite, national, and statistical reporting since 1946.​
• Forests now span 4.14 billion hectares worldwide (32% of Earth’s land), with Russia, Brazil, Canada, USA, and China together holding over half this area.​

Major Global Trends

• Deforestation Slows:
  Global annual deforestation dropped to 10.9 million ha (2015–25) due to restoration policies in Asia and Latin America.​
• Net Forest Gain:
  The world adds 6.78 million ha annually, mostly through restoration in Asia and Europe.​
• Planted Forests:
  Make up 8% of the total, with Asia providing 23% due to afforestation drives.​
• Protection and Carbon Stocks:
  20% of forests (813 million ha) are protected by law. Forests store 714 Gt of carbon, with nearly 46% in soil.​
• Ownership:
  71% publicly owned, 24% privately/community managed—highlighting inclusive stewardship.​

India in GFRA 2025

• Total Forest Area:
  India is 9th globally with ~72.7 million ha of forests (2% of world total).​
• Annual Forest Gain:
  Retains 3rd place for net additions, due to policies like the Green India Mission, CAMPA, and large-scale public and state planting initiatives.​
• Carbon Sink:
  Ranked 5th globally, India’s forests remove ~150 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.​
• Community & Tech:
  Success owes much to community forestry (Van Dhan Yojana, JFM), satellite platforms (Bhuvan, AI), and focus on biodiversity corridors and mangroves.​
• Legal Frameworks:
  Key laws include the Forest Conservation Act (1980), Wildlife Protection Act (1972), and Forest Rights Act (2006).​

Challenges

• Deforestation Hotspots:
  Pressure from agriculture, mining threatens tropical biomes despite India’s aggregate gains.​
• Forest Degradation:
  Fires, pests, and climate change stress continue to degrade forests even as area expands.​
• Funding and Data:
  Long-term ecological efforts lack consistent funding. Data disparities hinder real-time trends and policy effectiveness.​
• Habitat Loss:
  Fragmented forests undermine biodiversity even in countries with nominally increasing area.​

Way Forward

• Local Empowerment:
  Joint forest management and community-led protection are vital for resilience and livelihoods.​
• Better Carbon Metrics:
  Use AI and satellite monitoring for robust carbon stock tracking and emissions reporting.​
• Regional Partnerships:
  Promote South–South knowledge sharing and establish trans-boundary conservation corridors.​
• Eco-tourism & Legal Reform:
  Encourage nature-based tourism and further strengthen funding/legal mechanisms for long-term gains.​

Conclusion
India’s climb in global forest rankings reflects sustained policy and community dedication, but global forest targets require even sharper restoration, financing, and equity. GFRA 2025 is a reference point and a warning for sustainable management going forward.​