Tree cover loss in India
India: Tree cover loss was 125,678 hectares in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
125,678 hectares
Change on year
down 7.8%
World rank
35th
of 197 countries
All-time high
179,009 hectares
in 2017
All-time low
42,675 hectares
in 2003
Years of data
24
2001–2024
Tree cover loss 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 in India is 125,678 hectares, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 7.8% on the previous year and down 4.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in India peaked at 179,009 hectares in 2017 and was at its lowest, 42,675 hectares, in 2003.
India ranks 35th of 197 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Tree cover loss in India, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 54,375 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 46,261 hectares | -14.9% |
| 2003 | 42,675 hectares | -7.8% |
| 2004 | 64,514 hectares | +51.2% |
| 2005 | 54,977 hectares | -14.8% |
| 2006 | 59,558 hectares | +8.3% |
| 2007 | 66,112 hectares | +11.0% |
| 2008 | 77,067 hectares | +16.6% |
| 2009 | 72,498 hectares | -5.9% |
| 2010 | 46,283 hectares | -36.2% |
| 2011 | 81,553 hectares | +76.2% |
| 2012 | 84,776 hectares | +4.0% |
| 2013 | 74,803 hectares | -11.8% |
| 2014 | 131,433 hectares | +75.7% |
| 2015 | 109,435 hectares | -16.7% |
| 2016 | 163,911 hectares | +49.8% |
| 2017 | 179,009 hectares | +9.2% |
| 2018 | 125,044 hectares | -30.1% |
| 2019 | 115,595 hectares | -7.6% |
| 2020 | 130,586 hectares | +13.0% |
| 2021 | 125,523 hectares | -3.9% |
| 2022 | 113,977 hectares | -9.2% |
| 2023 | 136,344 hectares | +19.6% |
| 2024 | 125,678 hectares | -7.8% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 125,678 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5,729 hectares, 21.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 125,678 hectares is above the median for South Asia, which is 7,149 hectares, 17.6× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 59,782 hectares | 42,675 hectares | 77,067 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 111,184 hectares | 46,283 hectares | 179,009 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 126,422 hectares | 113,977 hectares | 136,344 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 in India?
- Tree cover loss in India was 125,678 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 179,009 hectares in 2017.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 42,675 hectares in 2003.
- How does India rank for tree cover loss?
- India ranks 35th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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. 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 driven by all causes.