“Forests Are a Strategic Resource with the Potential to Contribute to the Country’s Development,” Says Natia Iordanishvili

The forestry reform implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia consists of two main components: improving forest protection and enhancing forest use practices. The reform also focuses on strengthening forest monitoring and control, restoring degraded forests, and promoting multi-purpose forest use.

Under the reform, the function of physical forest protection is being returned to the National Forestry Agency of Georgia. An additional 401 forest rangers will be recruited, reducing the area under responsibility per ranger from 10,000–15,000 hectares to an average of 2,000 hectares. Salaries for employees of the agency have been increased, and further growth in the number of forest guards and forestry specialists is planned. The scale of degraded forest restoration activities is expanding annually, while forest inventory works are being carried out continuously. Altogether, these efforts will improve both the quantitative and qualitative indicators of Georgia’s forests, promote the forestry profession and education, support rural development, and increase the benefits derived from forest ecosystem services.

“The forestry reform is currently in an active phase, and we are already seeing tangible results from the consistent steps that have been taken. One of the most important changes is the return of physical protection to the forestry agency and the increase in the number of forest guards. We have openly discussed the challenges accumulated in the sector over the years, including illegal logging, which remains a major issue and one of the causes of forest degradation alongside other natural and anthropogenic factors.

Restoring the forest protection function, along with strengthening monitoring and control, will enable us first to preserve the current condition of our forests and then to ensure their development in a way that delivers ecological, social, and economic benefits to the country and its population. Forests are a strategic resource for the country, guaranteeing a safe environment and having the potential to contribute to economic development,” said Natia Iordanishvili.