Forests are crucial to biodiversity, livelihoods and climate regulation. Despite being a vital resource, the past few decades have witnessed a significant decline in forest cover due to human activities and climatic factors. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the complex relationship between society and forests. This chapter explores the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 on forests, encompassing ecological, social and economic dimensions. The pandemic led to both positive and negative consequences on forests. On the positive side, lockdowns and travel restrictions reduced pollution, affording ecosystems a temporary respite. However, the economic downturn and job losses have made forests more susceptible to illegal logging and poaching. Forest management activities, afforestation and conservation initiatives experienced setbacks due to funding constraints and limitations in monitoring during the pandemic. Community-based forest management, urban green spaces and technology-driven innovative approaches should be encouraged to mitigate the impact of future pandemics. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 experience provide valuable insights for framing policies that promote sustainable development, resilience and the conservation of forests on a global scale.