Reforestation of burned out territories in Borjomi

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The Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili visited Samtskhe-Javakheti region where he along with regional governor Kakha Samkharadze introduced forest restoration project in the village of Daba damaged by fire in August 2008 and 2017 to the representatives of electronic and print media on the spot. Rehabilitation works will start in September of this year.

In May, the following works were carried out: the territories were cleaned up, the integrity of the perimeter fence restored, anti-erosion and, in certain places, soil restoration works, as well as restoration and cleaning of the fire trails implemented. The planting works will start from the middle of September.

The fire perimeter covers 943 hectares. Most of these are part of the area burnt in 2008 (during the August events). In the first phase (2018-2019), 250 ha area will be rehabilitated. The planting and sowing activities will start from September, 2018. The forest will be restored to 144 ha area, up to 400 000 seeds will be planted.

Commission for the study of burnt territory has been working since last year. Comprehensive studies were carried out, including geological and soil laboratory studies, the survey was conducted by the Adam Beridze Diagnostical center of food and soil, "Anaseuli". Based on the results and the field monitoring carried out on the ground, the National Forestry Agency specialists prepared the forest restoration project. Considering the fact that the restoration of the forest is a specific, complex and long-term process, the works will be carried out only as per the project and under the supervision of forest specialists. Local people will be employed, as in the previous years.

The main objective of the forest restoration project is the restoration of the primary forest ecosystem in the gorge, for the achievement of which only local standard seedlings will be used. Seedlings of deciduous and coniferous forests are grown in nurseries of the National Forest Agency, which are located in the same zone. For the restoration of the forest, seedlings in containers grown at National nursery are used as well.