Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

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Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture meets rangers in Lagodekhi protected areas

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia together with the Kakheti State Representative Irakli Shioshvili held a meeting with the rangers in Lagodekhi protected areas.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas are the first protected areas in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Georgia.

110 years ago, in 1912, the first protected area - Lagodekhi Nature Reserve was established in Georgia, comprising an area of only 3,500 hectares. Today, there are 94 protected areas in Georgia, with a total area of 800,000 ha, which makes up 11.5% of the country's territory.

"We can boldly say that we have been protecting nature for 110 years. Lagodekhi Nature Reserve is a unique protected area, therefore, the history and development of protected areas started in Georgia along with the establishment of Lagodekhi Nature Reserve.

The state should continuously take care of rangers, and provide them with the appropriate equipment, and favourable conditions for the protection and preservation of our nature, "- stated Minister Shamugia.

According to the Minister, in 2022, the area of protected areas will increase by about 100,000 hectares and will cover about 900,000 hectares. At the same time, important measures will be taken to develop the infrastructure.

" About GEL 170 million has been invested in infrastructure in recent years; Approximately 1,000 km of trails are planned to be built across the protected areas for the next 2 years, for which, up to GEL 35 million will be allocated from the state budget.

"All the aforementioned allows us to attract more visitors, which, in turn, will help to improve the social conditions of local residents," - said Mr. Shamugia.

It should be mentioned, that currently, up to 400 rangers protect the protected areas of Georgia. Rangers protect Georgia's unique natural heritage at the risk of their own lives.

In accordance with the unified policy developed by the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and with the financial support of donor organizations, the state is continuously taking care of rangers. The working conditions of the rangers are annually improving. Their salaries are gradually increasing, besides, they are steadily ensured with a salary supplement, and their social insurance packages and work outfits have been changed and improved.

Currently, Lagodekhi Protected Areas consist of 24,255 ha, out of which 17,000 ha is a primary forest and intact forest landscape, which includes the Lagodekhi State Reserve and Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve. Tourist routes in Lagodekhi Protected Areas are equipped with marked paths, tourist cottages, campsites, picnic spots and other necessary infrastructure.

The development of ecotourism is continued in Lagodekhi Protected Areas. This year a network of 150 km of hiking trails with accompanying recreational infrastructure is planned to be arranged.