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GS3 · Environment

India 9th in forest area, 3rd in annual forest gain: FAO

1 min readForest Laws
Battle IAS current affairs title card: India 9th in forest area, 3rd in annual forest gain: FAO (GS3 · Environment, 22 October 2025)

What happened

  • In FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, released in Bali, India rose to 9th in total forest area (from 10th) and stayed 3rd in annual forest area gain [PIB].

Background

  • The Environment Minister shared the result [PIB].

Why it matters

  • Area gains do not show forest quality; plantations count the same as natural forest.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Conservation and EIA

  1. As per PIB (2025-10-22): in FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, released in Bali, India rose to 9th in total forest area (from 10th) and stayed 3rd in annual forest area gain.
  2. Area gains do not show forest quality; plantations count the same as natural forest.
Quotable data point

In FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, released in Bali, India rose to 9th in total forest area (from 10th) and stayed 3rd in annual forest area gain.

PIB: MoEFCC: India 9th in forest area, 22 Oct 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: FRA 2025.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

India's rank in forest area (GFRA 2025)

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

India's rank in annual forest gain

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

GFRA is released by

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Official source: PIB: MoEFCC: India 9th in forest area, 22 Oct 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending