News
A new protected area will be established in Georgia in accordance with the decision of the Government of Georgia
The establishment of a new protected area initiated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the LEPL Agency for Protected Areas has been approved at the Government session today. Kvereti reserve will be established on 14,797 hectares in Sachkhere municipality, Upper Imereti.
The establishment of a new protected area will ensure the protection and preservation of the unique biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes in the Upper Imereti region, as well as the sustainable management of natural resources. Moreover, the establishment of the Kvereti Reserve will help to popularize the region at the national, as well as international level, also, it will attract the tourist flow, and enable local residents to receive additional economic benefits.
Kvereti Protected Area is characterized by unique biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes of national and international importance, with rare, unique, endangered and threatened wildlife species included in the "Red List" of Georgia.Â
In accordance with the policy developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, one of the priority areas of the Agency of Protected Areas is to create / establish, expand and develop protected areas in compliance with the international best practices.
The territory of protected areas has been increased by almost 300,000 hectares during the last 10 years, as of 2021, it comprises about 800,000 hectares, which covers 11.5% of the entire country. In 2012-2021, 31 new protected areas were established and 3 protected areas were expanded. Today, there are 94 protected areas classified in 5 different categories in Georgia.