GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2020

GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2020

• GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 2020 RELEASED BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE  ORGANIZATION (FAO) 
• Assessment is done every five years since 1990. This report assesses the state of forests, their conditions, and management for all member countries.  
• FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. 

Key Findings: 

• The world has a total forest area of 4.06 billion hectares, which is about 31% Of the total land area. 
• An estimated 420 million ha of forest has been lost worldwide through  deforestation since 1990, but the rate of forest loss has declined substantially 
• While the highest net gain of forest area in 2010•2020 was found in Asia, Africa has the largest annual rate of net forest loss in 2010-2020. 
• 93% of the forest area worldwide is composed of naturally regenerating forests and 7% is planted. 
• India has ranked third among countries that have gained in forest areas in the last decade. The top 5 countries are China, Australia, India, Chile, Vietnam. 
• The report has credited India's Joint Forest Management program for the significant increase in community•managed forest areas. 
• Globally, 12.5 million people were employed in the forestry sector. Out of this, India accounted for 6.23 million, or nearly 50%. 
• India accounts for 2% of the total global forest area.