GFRA 2025 Decoded: India's Forest Rise & Its UPSC Significance
Why in News?
The recent Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 has placed India in the spotlight. The country has climbed to the 9th position globally in total forest area, up from 10th, and has held onto its 3rd rank in annual net gain in forest area. For UPSC aspirants, this isn't just a news headline; it's a case study packed with facts, figures, and policy insights relevant for both Prelims and Mains.
1. The Headline Numbers: India's Report Card (Prelims Focus)
Keep these key data points handy for objective-type questions:
Global Rank in Total Forest Area: 9th (improved from 10th).
Global Rank in Net Annual Gain: 3rd (maintained).
India's Total Forest Area (GFRA): ~72.74 million hectares (approx. 2% of world's total).
India's Total Forest Cover (ISFR 2023): 7,15,343 sq km (21.76% of geographical area).
Global Carbon Sink Rank: 5th, with forests removing 150 Mt CO₂/year.
Bamboo Resources: 11.8 million hectares (India is a major global player).
Rubber Plantations: 831,000 hectares (5th globally).
2. Key Concepts & Terminologies You Must Know (Prelims & Mains)
Understanding these terms is crucial for answering both MCQs and descriptive answers.
Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA): FAO's periodic report, considered the most comprehensive global assessment based on official national data.
Forest Categories (as per GFRA):
Naturally Regenerating Forests: Include Primary Forests (undisturbed forests with native species).
Planted Forests: Include Plantation Forests (e.g., Rubber, Teak) and Other Planted Forests.
Net Forest Gain: The overall increase in forest area (Expansion - Losses). India's positive gain is due to afforestation outweighing deforestation.
Wood Removals: The volume of wood felled and removed from forests, both for timber (roundwood) and fuel. India is 2nd globally, contributing 9%.
Carbon Sink/S sequestration: The process by which forests absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide. India's forests are a significant and growing sink.
Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into farming landscapes. India and Indonesia dominate the global agroforestry area.
3. Significance & Interlinkages for UPSC Mains
This news item is a goldmine for GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, and Security). Here’s how to use it:
A. Environment & Ecology (GS Paper III)
Climate Change & Paris Agreement: India's enhanced forest sink directly contributes to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which includes creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030.
Biodiversity Conservation: The report highlights the importance of Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries). Discuss this in the context of laws like the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and international commitments like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Sustainable Forest Management: The data shows a balance between "use" and "conservation." India's high rank in wood removals, coupled with a net gain, can be a point of discussion on sustainable practices.
B. Government Policies & Interventions (GS Paper II & III)
The GFRA success is a direct outcome of long-term government policies. Use this as an example in your answers.
National Mission for a Green India (GIM): A core component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Mention its targets (5 Mha increase + 5 Mha improvement) and its focus on ecosystem services and livelihood for forest-dwelling communities.
National Afforestation Programme: An example of a centrally sponsored scheme with a decentralized implementation structure (SFDAs, FDAs, JFMCs).
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Link the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative to fostering individual and collective responsibility for the environment. This connects environmental policy with public participation.
C. Economy & Resource Management (GS Paper III)
Contribution to Economy: Highlight the economic significance of bamboo and rubber plantations, which provide raw materials, generate employment, and contribute to exports.
Agroforestry & Farmer's Income: The dominance in agroforestry area ties into schemes for doubling farmers' income, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring fodder and fuelwood security.
4. Critical Analysis: The Other Side of the Coin
A good Mains answer presents a balanced perspective. While the report is positive, be aware of the ongoing challenges:
Quality vs. Quantity: The ISFR and GFRA report on area, not necessarily quality. There are concerns about the proliferation of monoculture plantations that do not support biodiversity as effectively as natural forests.
Definitional Issues: The definition of "forest" can include commercial plantations, which may not provide the same ecological services as natural ecosystems.
Pressures of Development: Infrastructure projects, mining, and urban expansion continue to pose threats to dense forest tracts, leading to habitat fragmentation.
5. Sample Questions for Practice
Prelims (MCQs)
According to the GFRA 2025 report released by the FAO, which of the following statements about India's forest cover is/are correct?
India ranks 3rd globally in terms of total forest area.
India has maintained its position as one of the top three countries in annual net gain in forest area.
India is the largest contributor to the global agroforestry area.
Code:(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (b) 2 only
- The term "Wood Removals" in forestry reports often refers to:(a) The natural falling of trees due to wind or disease.(b) The amount of wood felled and removed for roundwood or fuelwood production.(c) The legal process of transferring forest land for non-forest purposes.(d) The export of processed wood and timber products.
Answer: (b)
Mains (GS Paper III)
"India's improved ranking in the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 is a testament to its sustained policy efforts." Elucidate.
Discuss the role of agroforestry and plantation forestry in India's journey towards achieving its climate change goals and ensuring ecological security.
Conclusion
The GFRA 2025 report is more than a statistic; it's a narrative of India's structured approach to environmental governance. For a UPSC aspirant, dissecting this report provides actionable insights into environment, economy, and policy—the very core of the syllabus. Remember to use these facts as supporting evidence in your answers to make them more impactful and data-driven.
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