GFRA 2025 India is 9th in Forest area 5th in carbon sinks

• Global Position: India ranked in the 9 th position in the world in terms of total forest area (~72.7 million hectares) and 3 rd position in terms of the net change in forest area each year.
• Carbon Sequestration: Indian forests absorb 150 million tonnes of CO 2 every year and the country is ranked the 5 th most effective in the world in terms of carbon sink.
• Global Context: The total forest area on the earth is 4.14 billion hectares which comprises 32 percent of the total land on earth. More than half of the global forests are possessed by five countries namely Russia, Brazil, Canada, the US, and China.

Forest and Agro forestry expansion:

• Bamboo forests: 11.8 million hectares (approximately half the world area of bamboo).
• Rubber fields: 831,000 hectares (5 th in the world).
• Agro forest: India and Indonesia contribute to approximately 70 percent of the agro forest worldwide (55.4 million hectares).

Exam-Oriented Facts:

• India is on the 9 th position as per forest area and 3 rd in net forest gain.
• Forests sequester 150 million tonnes of CO 2/year and are 5 th in the world.
• Bamboo and agro forestry play a significant contribution in this area, which helps in biodiversity, livelihood and in the sequestration of carbon.

Policy Support:

• Significant schemes: Green India mission (GIM), National afforestation programme, Mission LiFE, and Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam.
• 2025-26 Budget: 3,412.82 crore as the allocation in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Goal: Grow and enhance forest cover, in addition to better carbon sinks and increase conservation by citizens.