Cooperation between the two countries in the forestry sector
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Kakha Kakabadze is on a working visit to France. Within the framework of the visit, the Deputy Minister and National Forestry Agency's representatives, inspected the territory of the state forest located south of Paris, where the French National Forestry Office is carrying out measures for the degraded forest restoration.The forest massif located near the urban settlement was assigned the category of protected forest in 2016. On the area of 374 ha, mainly deciduous species - oak and chestnut - are planted. However, the forest has degraded due to the negative impact of climate change and chestnut disease. Sanitary cuts against the so-called inky chestnut disease, measures to promote natural renewal, and constant monitoring are ongoing.The chestnut disease observed in Georgia in the 40s of the last century. The National Forestry Agency is carrying out sanitary cuttings and testing the method of biological fight against the disease in the municipality of Zestafoni.Within the framework of Kakha Kakabadze's visit to France, at the meetings held with relevant agencies, the parties discussed the implementation of joint projects aimed at fighting diseases and the prospects of future cooperation. A memorandum of cooperation between the National Forestry Agency and the French National Forest Office will be signed shortly.
See allWorking visit to France
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Kakha Kakabadze, together with the representatives of the National Forestry Agency, met with the General Director of the French National Forestry Office, Valery Metrich Eket, within the framework of a working visit to Paris.The parties discussed the issues of the sanitary state of forests, biodiversity and sustainable forest management, cooperation with environmental non-governmental and scientific organizations, and communication with the local population. French National Forest Office's representative introduced the prepared climate change strategy to the Georgian side at the meeting."Part of the challenges that Georgia's forestry sector faces today is also a challenge for the French side. Climate change and its negative impact on forests, pest and disease management, and other similar issues require decisions not only at the national level. We think that France's experience will help us improve our approaches. Georgia is taking important steps on the path of European integration, several important reforms are underway, and taking into account the country's national interests, the forestry reform has a special place among them", - noted Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Kakha Kakabadze.
See allThe National Forestry Agency has completely renovated the special purpose vehicle fleet
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, and Davit Nozadze, State Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, inspected the new special-purpose equipment.We are currently in the process of fully equipping our services. The National Forestry Agency has received new special-purpose equipment and off-road vehicles, which were funded by a total of 8 million GEL. Some of the funding came from the state budget, while the rest was provided by our partner donor organizations. This technique is significant for the forestry agency for more effectively performing its economic activities and to carry out the construction works of relevant forest roads so that in case of fire or other need, the proper services can be mobilized promptly. The process of equipping with new equipment will continue in the future," said Otar Shamugia.37 units of "pickup" type high-terrain vehicles and 22 units of special-purpose equipment will be distributed to 9 regional forestry services. With special equipment, the agency will provide effective implementation of such forestry and agricultural measures as forest maintenance and restoration, timber production, arrangement and rehabilitation of forest roads, and monitoring of state forest territories.It should be noted that the main priority directions of the National Forestry Agency are improving the sanitary condition of forests, forest inventory, preparation of management plans and multi-purpose forest use, as well as social guarantees of co-workers and improvement of working conditions.In the recent period, the scale of forest care and restoration measures has significantly increased, and forestry infrastructure has been developed in the form of business yards and forest roads. The rehabilitation of the forestry services offices was completed in almost all regions, and new offices of the forestry service have been built in Racha-Lechkhum Kvemo Svaneti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regions, which provides improved services of the forestry agency for the local population.
See all