Bulgaria is among the countries having the largest number of forests in Europe, international environmental organization World Wide Fund (WWF) said on the occasion of the week of forest to take place between April 2 and 8, according to BTA.

Nearly one third of the country's territory is covered with forests, most of which are of natural origin. Over four per cent of the forests are virgin, the WWF report says.

Bulgarian forests are inhabited by nearly 43 endangered worldwide animal and plant species. Nearly 80 per cent of the forests are provisionally to be included in the European ecology network Natura 2000. But only ten per cent of the woodland is in protected territories, the WWF report points out.

WWF's report showed that 45 per cent of wood in Bulgaria was obtained illegally in 2005.

Bulgaria has taken some measures through signing an agreement with the WWF for co-operation on forests protection. According to the agreement nearly 30 per cent of state-owned forests in the country will be certified under the Forest Stewardship Council scheme.