India, Oct. 22 -- India's total forest area ranking has improved from 10th to ninth even as it has maintained its third position worldwide in terms of annual forest gain, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025.

Russia (832,630 ha) has the highest forest area globally, followed by Brazil (486,087 ha), Canada (486,087), and the US (308,895 ha). The assessment is based on data that individual countries report and member nations review.

India defines forest area as "all land, more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status." Such land may not necessarily be a recorded forest area and may include p...