India Champions Global Forest Stewardship at UNFF20, Showcases Landmark Green Initiatives

India reaffirmed its strong leadership in global forest conservation and sustainable development during the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20), held from May 5 to 9, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Indian delegation, led by Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), presented the country's significant milestones in forest governance, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation.

Showcasing National Achievements in Forest Growth

At the core of India's address was a comprehensive account of its progress under the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030. India reported that forest and tree cover has now increased to 25.17% of its geographical area, as per the latest India State of Forest Report. This steady rise is a direct result of multiple national initiatives:

• Aravalli Green Wall: A landscape-scale restoration project that combats desertification across the northwestern states.

• Mangrove Expansion: India recorded a 7.86% increase in mangrove cover over the past decade, critical for coastal resilience.

• Green India Mission: Over 1.55 lakh hectares afforested to restore degraded ecosystems and improve biodiversity.

• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother): A mass afforestation campaign that has seen the planting of 1.4 billion seedlings, promoting citizen-led green action.

Advocating for Global Collaboration

One of the pivotal moments of India’s presence at UNFF20 was its call to all UN Member States to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). This global initiative, pioneered by India, aims to protect the seven iconic big cat species—tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, cheetah, and puma—through international cooperation, joint research, capacity-building, and technological exchange.

Leadership on Country-Led Initiatives (CLI)

India took a leading role in promoting the outcomes of the Country-Led Initiative it hosted in Dehradun in October 2023, which focused on pressing forestry issues like forest fire management and forest certification. The Indian delegation urged the integration of CLI recommendations into formal global frameworks and expressed appreciation for other CLI contributors, including the Republic of Congo, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Austria.

Side Event: India’s Model for Forest Landscape Restoration

India also organized a side event titled “Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes: India’s Approach to Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Resilience.” The session highlighted:

• Policy innovations driving forest restoration.

• Convergence of public and private funding for landscape-level efforts.

• Community involvement through joint forest management committees.

• Digital monitoring tools and satellite-based systems to track forest health.

These measures are contributing meaningfully toward the Global Forest Goals and India's Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs).

Integrating Ecosystem Valuation into National Strategy

India’s thought leadership was also visible during the high-level panel on “Valuing Forest Ecosystems in National Policy and Strategy.” Indian representatives shared results from pilot studies in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and various tiger reserves, quantifying key ecosystem services:

• Carbon sequestration

• Water provisioning

• Biodiversity conservation

These assessments were based on internationally recognized frameworks like the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA). India stressed the importance of embedding such valuation mechanisms into national planning frameworks to support informed governance and long-term ecological sustainability.

A Green Diplomacy Milestone

India’s participation in UNFF20 underscores its global leadership in environmental diplomacy, especially at the intersection of climate action, biodiversity conservation, and community-driven forestry. The country's holistic, data-backed, and inclusive approach presents a replicable model for the world to emulate in the pursuit of a greener, more resilient planet.