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Levan Davitashvili: Sustainable forest management is a precondition for maintaining natural resources, thus contributing to the economic growth of the country
At the joint sitting of the parliamentary committee, the candidate for the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili addressed to the needs of biodiversity conservation. “40% of our country is covered with forest. I believe, that our natural resources is the greatest wealth that is still preserved in the country.
The forest sector appeared to be in desperate condition in previous years. The complex reform was launched a few years ago, moreover, today we are working together with the Parliament to adopt a new Forest Code, including to create a completely new legislative area for sustainable forest management, which is a precondition for maintaining natural resources to further contribute to the economic growth of the country. The reforestation activities include arrangement of up to 150 km of forest roads and business yards. It should be noted, that Georgia will probably receive $ 32 million funds which will enable us to invest in the forestry sector. This is directly linked to the welfare of our citizens including to improve the ecological status of the country.
Biodiversity, as well as our nature might be considered as major contribution to the the overall wealth of the country. Sustainable use and conservation of biological resources is of utmost importance and I should note, that together with the Parliament we are working on the new legislation. New law on biodiversity conservation will create a legislative basis and will formulate a policy for the long term maintenance of biological resources ”Levan Davitashvili said.
According to the candidate for the post of the Minister, the National Wildlife Agency has been set up with the the main functions, including to organize registration and subsequent monitoring and research of species of flora and fauna, creation of a gene pool for reproduction, regulation of hunting and sport fishing; provision of propagation of forest reproductive material and consulting services to the private sector; implementation of activities to raise environmental awareness among Georgian population.
" we are building environmentally sound economic relationships, which is the most effective tool for conservation and protection of natural resources. It should be noted, that certain progress has been made in the fields of environmental supervision and control.
administrative accountability is tightened for illegal extraction of timber resources, violations of hunting rules and illegal extraction of minerals. Criminal liability is imposed for illegally operating sawmills, hunting endangered species included in the red list, as well as blast fishing or dynamite fishing ”Levan Davitashvili said.
The Ministerial candidate noted, that total rebranding of the Department of Environmental Supervision was implemented, the presentation of which is planned to be held in the nearest future. It is noteworthy, that salaries of the employees of the Department of Environmental Supervision, as well as the Agency of Protected Areas are increased, the rangers' salary was increased by 100% - from 450 GEL to 900 GEL. The employees of aforementioned agencies are provided with an insurance packages, upgrading and retraining courses, all the above mentioned will allow us to perform activities for making the control even more effective.
As of August 31, 2019, the Department of Environmental Supervision identified 6,036 cases of violations of environmental law, including criminal records containing 469 cases that were given to the investigating authorities for further action.
As of August 31, 2019, 1805 inspections were conducted in regulated facilities to determine the compliance with applicable laws and regulations, out of which, violations were not detected in 31% of the inspected facilities.