Forest restoration project in Mukhnari, Kutaisi
Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Kakha Kakabadze, visited “Kutaisi's Mukhnari” to inspect the ongoing forest restoration activities on-site.
The forest area, which is home to an endemic and Red List species, the unique Imeretian oak, has been significantly damaged over decades due to illegal logging and pollution.
The Deputy Minister also took part in the tree-planting event held in "kutaisi's Mukhnari" Students from Kutaisi International University, under the supervision of forest specialists, planted around 40 saplings of the Imeretian oak species in the area.
“The Kutaisi's Mukhnari forest is important not only in terms of biodiversity but also as a recreational space for the local population. Accordingly, the National Forestry Agency is implementing measures that will support the restoration of the forest and the full use of its potential,” said Deputy Minister Kakha Kakabadze.
The National Forestry Agency has been implementing forest restoration activities in “Kutaisi's Mukhnari” since 2018. Along with sanitary logging, measures have been carried out to support both planting and natural regeneration. As part of the improvement of reclamation infrastructure, drainage works were conducted in the flooded area.
To date, forest restoration activities cover 270 hectares. Around 9,500 deciduous tree saplings have been planted, including the Red List–protected Imeretian oak. The perimeter has been fenced; the condition of natural regeneration is visibly good; and specialists continue to monitor the area.
