Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has banned tree felling in protected areas of biosphere reserves, national natural and regional landscape parks, natural preserves, natural landmarks and preserved land tracts.

This is outlined in cabinet resolution No. 213 of March 23 published on Monday.

The cabinet amended the sanitary rules for Ukrainian forests and the forest quality improvement rules. According to the new rules, cutting down trees in these areas is prohibited..

"The measure will help develop natural processes without human interference," the explanatory note to the resolution says.