India showcases forest and landscape restoration at FAO's COFO 28 in Rome
At the 28th session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) in Rome (28 September – 2 October 2026), India highlighted that its forest and tree cover is 82.74 million hectares, or 25.17% of its geographical area.
Summary
India said the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 ranks it 9th in forest area and 3rd in net annual forest area gain. It has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO2e by 2021 and aims for 3.5–4.0 billion tonnes by 2035 over 2005 levels. Under the Bonn Challenge, India has brought 21.76 million ha under restoration against a 26 million ha target for 2030. It also cited the Aravalli Green Wall (about 6.45 million ha identified), the MISHTI mangrove initiative, 101 Ramsar sites and over 3.5 billion saplings planted under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
Key facts
- Event
- COFO 28, FAO, Rome, 28 September – 2 October 2026
- Forest & tree cover
- 82.74 million ha (25.17% of geographical area)
- FAO FRA 2025 ranking
- 9th in forest area; 3rd in net annual forest area gain
- Carbon sink
- 2.29 bn t CO2e added by 2021; target 3.5–4.0 bn t by 2035 (vs 2005)
- Bonn Challenge
- 26 million ha by 2030; 21.76 million ha under restoration
- Aravalli Green Wall
- About 6.45 million ha identified
- Ramsar sites
- 101
- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
- 3.5 billion+ saplings planted
Practice MCQs 4 questions
COFO, whose 28th session was held in Rome in September–October 2026, is a committee of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — FAO
COFO is the Committee on Forestry of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
As stated by India at COFO 28, what share of India's geographical area is under forest and tree cover?
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Correct answer: C — 25.17%
India's forest and tree cover is 82.74 million hectares, or 25.17% of its geographical area.
Under the Bonn Challenge, India has committed to restore how much degraded and deforested land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 26 million ha
India's Bonn Challenge target is 26 million ha by 2030, of which 21.76 million ha are already under restoration.
Consider the following statements made by India at COFO 28: 1. The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 ranks India 3rd in net annual forest area gain. 2. India has 101 Ramsar sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: FRA 2025 ranks India 9th in forest area and 3rd in net annual forest area gain, and India has 101 Ramsar sites.