Meeting in Mtskheta–Mtianeti within the Framework of the Forestry Reform
To discuss the main directions of the planned reform in the forestry sector, the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Besik Amiranashvili, met with the State Representative of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Alexander Zagashvili, and representatives of local self-government.
According to the forestry reform developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the National Forestry Agency will regain the function of the physical protection of forests. The reform envisages the addition of 401 forest rangers, which will reduce the area assigned to each ranger from 10–15 thousand hectares to an average of about 2,000 hectares.
At the meeting, the Head of the Forest Policy Department of the Ministry, Karlo Amirgulashvili, spoke about the activities planned within the framework of the reform. It was noted that, as part of the reform, the National Forestry Agency will be technically re-equipped with modern technological tools in order to increase the effectiveness of forest protection and monitoring.
“Steps taken to improve working conditions increase the motivation of those employed in the sector. The salaries of foresters and forest rangers have increased. There are also plans to increase their numbers, which will create additional jobs in all regions. Adding more forest rangers, along with strengthening state control, will ensure the effective implementation of all forestry activities, including forest maintenance and restoration. It should also be noted that for effective functioning, regional forestry services are in direct communication with local self-governments,” said the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Besik Amiranashvili.
Besik Amiranashvili also introduced the new head of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti Forestry Service, Giorgi Tatarashvili. Giorgi Tatarashvili has many years of experience working in the public service.
