Nepal’s Forest Cover Climbs Into South Asia’s Top Two, New Survey Says

Nepal has emerged as one of South Asia’s strongest forest nations, ranking second in the region for forest coverage, according to the latest Economic Survey. The report says forests now cover 45.31 percent of the country’s total land area, placing Nepal behind only Bhutan, which leads the region with 69.71 percent.

The numbers underscore Nepal’s unusually strong forest footprint in a region where land pressures, population density, and environmental stress often keep tree cover lower. Sri Lanka follows with 34.1 percent, while India stands at 21.71 percent and Bangladesh at 12.8 percent.

How Nepal compares in South Asia

The survey places Nepal well ahead of several neighboring countries in forest coverage, including Pakistan at 4.8 percent, Maldives at 2.7 percent, and Afghanistan at 1.9 percent. China, also listed in the survey’s regional comparison, has 22.96 percent forest cover.

For Nepal, the figure reflects a landscape shaped by mountains, protected areas, community forestry, and conservation efforts that have helped preserve large stretches of land under forest. The result is significant not just as a statistic, but as a marker of the country’s environmental identity.

Why this matters

High forest cover can support biodiversity, water regulation, soil protection, and carbon storage. For Nepal, that makes forest management a major national asset, especially as climate change intensifies pressure on ecosystems across the Himalayas and beyond.

The Economic Survey’s ranking also highlights a broader story: Nepal is not just keeping pace with regional conservation efforts, it is standing out. In a part of the world where forest loss remains a persistent concern, Nepal’s position near the top signals both progress and responsibility.

As environmental debates continue to focus on resilience, land use, and sustainability, Nepal’s forest statistics give the country a rare point of green strength.