At the 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO-28) held in Rome in September 2026, India’s progress in forest conservation and afforestation was highlighted on the global platform.
- India ranks 9th globally in total forest area.
- India ranks 3rd globally in net annual forest gain, after China and Russia.
- India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- Major initiatives supporting forest restoration include the National Forest Policy 1988, Green India Mission, and CAMPA.
- India’s forestry efforts contribute to climate action, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and rural livelihoods.
- The country’s forest and land-restoration efforts are also linked to its broader climate and sustainable-development commitments.
