YEREVAN. – In 2013, the cases of illegal tree cutting in Armenia decreased by around 30 percent, Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan said during the parliamentary hearings on Saturday.

“We have scarce forest areas, and we should be attentive,” the Minister said.

Last year the Armenia registered only 928 cases of illegal tree cutting, as compared to 1,320 in  2012

Earlier the chief forester of “ArmForest” Ruben Petrosyan said it is difficult to determine the impact of gas price hike on illegal logging in winter. In January-March, 65 cases were registered, and as compared with last year there was no significant difference.

Only 10 percent of Armenia's territory is covered by forests.