India among top three countries in most significant forest area gains: FAO

According to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India has gained 266,000 hectares of forest area annually from 2010 to 2020, ranking third among the top ten countries for forest area gains. China topped the list with a gain of 1,937,000 hectares, followed by Australia with 446,000 hectares. Other notable countries in the top ten include Chile, Vietnam, Turkey, the United States, France, Italy, and Romania.

The FAO commended India for its initiatives in restoring degraded lands and promoting agroforestry through innovative policies, including a new national policy to enhance agroforestry support. The report also noted a significant reduction in deforestation rates in several countries, with Indonesia experiencing an 8.4% decline and Brazil's Amazon seeing a 50% reduction in 2023. However, the FAO warned that climate change increases forest vulnerability to threats like wildfires and pests. In 2023, global wildfires emitted an estimated 6,687 megatons of carbon dioxide, highlighting the urgent need for continued environmental protection efforts.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.