FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28)

Why in News?

Recently, India highlights progress in forest cover, restoration and climate action at COFO 28.

28th Session of FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28)

• Held in – Rome, Italy, from 28 September–2 October 2026.
• India highlighted its progress in forest & tree cover, landscape restoration, sustainable forest management and climate action.
• India also reaffirmed its support for the proposed United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027 to 2036).

India’s Position at COFO 28

India emphasized the following priorities:

• Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) should be adopted as an integrated approach to restoration.
• Restoration efforts should account for national circumstances and the needs of local communities.
• There is a need for increased technology transfer and capacity building.
• Restoration programmes should deliver measurable outcomes.
• Sustainable and effective financing mechanisms are particularly important for developing countries.
• Improved access to climate, biodiversity, and blended finance is essential.
• Enhanced coordination is required among FAO forestry initiatives, Global Forest Goals, and other international forest processes.
• Strengthening South-South and triangular cooperation remains a priority.
• Support is expressed for the proposed United Nations Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation, 2027 to 2036.

Key Indian Restoration Initiatives

• Aravalli Green Wall – Approximately 6.45 million hectares of degraded land have been identified for restoration.
  • The initiative focuses on restoring degraded landscapes within the Aravalli region.
• MISHTI – This programme is dedicated to the restoration of mangrove ecosystems.
  • It also aims to enhance climate resilience and support local livelihoods.
• Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam – Plant4Mother – This is a comprehensive tree-planting campaign involving both government and society.
  • Over 3.5 billion saplings have been planted under this initiative.
• Bonn Challenge – India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.
  • To date, 21.76 million hectares have been brought under restoration.

Climate Action: Key Metrics

• By 2021, India had created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• The enhanced target is to achieve a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2035, relative to 2005 levels.
• Forests and trees are therefore critical to India's climate commitments and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) actions.

Reference

DD India | COPO 28