According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which was presented at the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York from May 5–9, 2025, India’s forest and tree cover reaches 25.17% of its total land area or 8,27,357 sq km. The accomplishment of critical national projects, including afforestation, mangrove restoration, and massive plantation efforts, is reflected in this milestone. India’s initiatives demonstrate a dedication to ecological sustainability despite obstacles, including biodiversity issues and forest loss, and ecosystem valuation is becoming a valuable instrument for a well-informed government.

Key Initiatives Driving Forest Growth

Targeted projects are why India’s forest and tree cover reaches 25.17% of its total land area. Degraded areas have been rehabilitated by the Aravalli Green Wall project, and the Green India Mission has replanted more than 1.55 lakh hectares. Over the last ten years, mangrove cover has increased by 7.86%, supporting coastal ecosystems. Communities were involved in reforestation through the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign, which planted 1.4 billion saplings. Thanks to these initiatives, since 2021, the amount of forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 sq km, or the area of Delhi. According to ISFR 2023, 21.76% of the total cover is forest, and 3.41% is tree cover. India’s UN presentation emphasised these accomplishments and their contribution to biodiversity preservation and carbon sequestration.

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Challenges and Ecosystem Valuation

Despite the progress, problems still exist. Concerns regarding biodiversity loss and the effects on populations that depend on forests are raised by the ISFR 2023, which reports that 40,709.28 sq km of very dense and moderately thick forests were converted to open forests between 2011 and 2021. Ecosystem health is made more difficult by the growth of plantations and the uncertainty surrounding unclassified woods. To address this, India shared pilot studies from tiger reserves in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand with a high-level panel on “Valuing Forest Ecosystems” at the UN. These studies measured services like carbon storage and water delivery using frameworks like the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). India emphasised incorporating ecosystem valuation into national planning for sustainable forest governance, albeit acknowledging the challenges in valuing non-market services.

India’s gains and challenges are reflected in its 25.17% forest and tree cover goal. Degradation and biodiversity issues require attention, even as programs like the Green India Mission and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam promote growth. India hopes to establish a global model for forest protection by utilising ecosystem valuation to balance ecological integrity and development.

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