Delhi: Amid rising air pollution across India following the Diwali festivities, there is a silver lining for the country’s environmental efforts. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has ranked India 10th globally in forest cover, marking an improvement from last year’s position. This achievement has been credited in part to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” campaign, which has contributed significantly to forest expansion.
The announcement was made in the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025, released in Bali, Indonesia. The report is a milestone for India, highlighting sustainable forest management and ecological conservation alongside ongoing industrial, renewable energy, and infrastructure development.
According to the FAO report, the world’s total forest area stands at 4.14 billion hectares, covering 32% of the Earth’s land. Over half of this area—54%—is concentrated in just five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China. Following Australia, the Congo, and Indonesia, India now ranks among the top ten forest-rich nations.
Globally, trees are an essential natural resource. Studies show that human civilization has caused a 46% decline in tree numbers since its inception. A comprehensive global survey estimates approximately 3 trillion trees worldwide—around 422 trees per person—a figure 7.5 times higher than previous estimates, which had placed the number at 400 billion.
The count was conducted using satellite imagery, employing supercomputing technology to map trees per square kilometer without relying on ground-level surveys. Dense forests are concentrated in Russia, Scandinavia, and sub-Arctic North America, accounting for 24% of global tree numbers. Tropical and subtropical forests hold 43% of the world’s trees, yet these regions are also experiencing the fastest rates of deforestation.
Deforestation continues at alarming rates due to human activity, including urbanization, industrialization, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Globally, 1.5 billion trees are lost each year. If current trends persist, 4–8% of forests could vanish by 2030, and 17–35% of dense forests may be lost by 2040. This could result in the extinction of 15% of tree species over the next 15 years, with serious consequences for agriculture and biodiversity.
The value of trees extends beyond environmental benefits. Research by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research estimates that one hectare of tropical forest generates ecological services worth ₹141,000 annually. A single tree over 50 years provides direct and indirect benefits totaling ₹1.57 million, including maintaining soil moisture, producing oxygen, conserving protein resources, controlling air and water pollution, and providing habitat for birds, animals, and insects.
Trees also reduce energy demand. A healthy tree can provide cooling equivalent to running air conditioners in ten rooms continuously for 20 hours. Urban greenery reduces the need for air conditioning by 30%, saving 20–30% on electricity bills. One acre of forest sequesters six tons of carbon dioxide and produces four tons of oxygen—enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.
The FAO report underscores the importance of trees for both environmental sustainability and human well-being. While global deforestation remains a pressing concern, India’s recent increase in forest cover is a positive step, reflecting the nation’s commitment to balancing development with ecological preservation.
