With the support of the Japanese government, a sustainable forest management supporting project is being implemented in Georgia
With the financial support of the Japanese government, within the framework of the project "Sustainable forest management in Georgia and support for climate-smart forest management practices", a "business yard" will be organized in the village of Jighaura in Mtskheti municipality. "Business yards" of Dzegvi and Kvemo Lisi will be equipped with appropriate facilities (4 trucks, 3 pickup trucks, 1 tractor and 3 electricity generators). Within the framework of the project, personal safety kits, 100 fire extinguishers and 3 ATVs will be provided to local foresters, which will help manage the risks of forest fires.
Kakha Kakabadze, Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture, Imamura Akira, Ambassador of Japan to Georgia and Anna Chernyshova, Deputy Permanent Representative of UNDP, along with local self-government representatives, visited the newly built "business yard" in the village of Bodorna and got acquainted with the new model of timber production on site. At the meeting, the ongoing reforms in the forestry sector and the role of the "business yard" in these reforms were discussed. The goal of the project is to obtain firewood from the forest area under the management of the National Forestry Agency, transport it and process it for sale in "business yards", and on this works local, socially vulnerable population will be mainly employed.
As the Deputy Minister, Kakha Kakabadze, said, on the initiative of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, 43 "business yards" have already been set up across the country. The forestry reform envisages the development of forestry, which in the future will allow us to gradually replace social logging with more convenient for the population and businesses type of service and easier access to wood resources.
"The Japanese and Georgians are distinguished by their special attitude and deep cultural connection towards the forest . Forest restoration and conservation is one of Japan's national priorities. In this regard, our country has achieved remarkable success. We are happy to share this experience with Georgia, to promote the preservation of the lush forest ecosystem, and to help the population of Georgia to use renewable energy opportunities more effectively," said Japanese Ambassador Imamura Akira.
The project "Sustainable forest management in Georgia and support for climate-smart forest management practices" is implemented with the funding of the Japanese government and the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), for which 920,000 US dollars have been allocated.
"UNDP welcomes the new Forest Code, which presents the Georgian government's vision for reducing deforestation and sustainable forest management. In order to support forest reform, we provide practical assistance to both the National Forestry Agency and the local population and promote the implementation of green, healthy and sustainable approaches in everyday life," said Anna Chernyshova, Deputy Permanent Representative of UNDP.
Within the framework of the project, energy-efficient stoves will be provided to the most vulnerable families in local villages. About 43,000 residents of the region will receive sustainably produced biomass fuel for their daily needs. Information meetings will be held with the population in regard the importance of forest protection and preservation.
