Tree cover loss from wildfires in India
India: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 1,854 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in India, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for tree cover loss from wildfires in India is 1,854 hectares, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 319.7% on the previous year and up 572.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in India peaked at 1,854 hectares in 2024 and was at its lowest, 75.71 hectares, in 2003.
India ranks 41st of 152 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in India, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 265.05 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 281.29 hectares | +6.1% |
| 2003 | 75.71 hectares | -73.1% |
| 2004 | 417.75 hectares | +451.8% |
| 2005 | 215.69 hectares | -48.4% |
| 2006 | 345.68 hectares | +60.3% |
| 2007 | 336.34 hectares | -2.7% |
| 2008 | 679.35 hectares | +102.0% |
| 2009 | 482.99 hectares | -28.9% |
| 2010 | 203.17 hectares | -57.9% |
| 2011 | 288.95 hectares | +42.2% |
| 2012 | 485.28 hectares | +67.9% |
| 2013 | 94.31 hectares | -80.6% |
| 2014 | 275.47 hectares | +192.1% |
| 2015 | 78.07 hectares | -71.7% |
| 2016 | 91.36 hectares | +17.0% |
| 2017 | 145.19 hectares | +58.9% |
| 2018 | 272.95 hectares | +88.0% |
| 2019 | 318.06 hectares | +16.5% |
| 2020 | 231.66 hectares | -27.2% |
| 2021 | 197.81 hectares | -14.6% |
| 2022 | 256.65 hectares | +29.7% |
| 2023 | 441.61 hectares | +72.1% |
| 2024 | 1,854 hectares | +319.7% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 1,854 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 169.25 hectares, 11.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- India's 1,854 hectares is above the median for South Asia, which is 154.43 hectares, 12.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 344.43 hectares | 75.71 hectares | 679.35 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 225.28 hectares | 78.07 hectares | 485.28 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 596.25 hectares | 197.81 hectares | 1,854 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 68.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 70.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 19.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 309.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 85.03 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in India?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in India was 1,854 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 1,854 hectares in 2024.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 75.71 hectares in 2003.
- How does India rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- India ranks 41st out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 572.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Tree cover loss from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Tree cover loss due to fire with no visible human conversion or agricultural activity afterward. Fires may be started by natural causes (e.g. lightning) or may be related to human activities (accidental or deliberate).