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

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Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture hosted the remarkable event dedicated to the establishment of biosphere reserves in Georgia

The first time ever in the history of Georgia, two protected areas have been granted the status of Biosphere reserve by UNESCO and included in the international list of  World Heritage Sites.

It should be mentioned, that to this day, none of the territories in the South Caucasus region has the status of a biosphere reserve.’’Dedoplistskaro Biosphere Reserve’’and  ‘’Sami Alazani Biosphere Reserves’’ are the first precedents across the region. 

" Since 2015, the potential for the establishment and development of a biosphere reserve has been thoroughly studied in Georgia, to this end, Kakheti region was identified as a key priority area and the best fit for the development of the biosphere reserve. With the support of the European Union, the preparation of relevant documents for the establishment of a biosphere reserve has been launched in Dedoplistskaro Municipality, ecotourism infrastructure has been developed and several measures have been taken.

At the same time, with the support of the German government, similar measures started in the Telavi and Akhmeta municipalities. Large-scale activities were carried out in the respective area; it would be difficult to achieve results without assistance of our partners , which ultimately resulted into a historic decision made by UNESCO on June 15," Mr. Shamugia said.

According to the Minister, the government is taking concrete steps to protect nature and biodiversity in the country, entailing annual expansion of protected areas. In 2022, the territory of protected areas will be increased by 100 thousand hectares. According to the already initiated draft laws, new protected areas are being created in Shida Kartli, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions.

Mrs. Maia Bitadze, Chairperson of the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee noted, that the inclusion of two protected areas in the UNESCO list of biosphere reserves is a unique opportunity for local population, which entails socio-economic development, recreational tourism, and landscape protection purposes in general. 

"This is the first  biosphere reserve in the South Caucasus Region, which was  granted the status and recognized by UNESCO -" Dedoplistskaro Biosphere Reserve "and" Sami Alazani Biosphere Reserve ". I am delighted, that the results of the successful cooperation between the European Union, the German government, the Zukov Foundation, GIZ and the Georgian government are already visible. The project aims to harmonize land, nature and the biosphere, "said German Ambassador to Georgia Mr. Hubert Knirsch.

The event was attended by the heads of the relevant departments of the Mianistry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, representatives of the self-governments of Telavi, Akhmeta and Dedoplistkaro municipalities and members of international organizations.