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Nino Tandilashvili submits the Draft Law of Georgia on the ‘’Establishment and Management of Protected Areas in Racha’’ to the Parliament of Georgia
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili submitted the Draft Law of Georgia on the ‘’Establishment and Management of Protected Areas in Racha’’ to the Parliament of Georgia.
Upon the decision of the Government of Georgia, the Racha National Park will be established in the Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti region, which will cover 50,800 hectares.
As stated by the Deputy Minister, the establishment of protected areas in the Racha region will ensure the protection and maintenance of biodiversity, landscapes, ecosystems, and sustainable management of local natural resources; Moreover, ecotourism and infrastructure will be developed, and new tourist services will be introduced, which will have a positive impact and will improve the socio-economic situation of the region.
It should be mentioned, that within the framework of the grant agreement signed between the Ministry of Finance of Georgia and the German Bank for Reconstruction and Development (KfW) on July 21, 2021, the country will receive a grant of up to EUR 24 million.
The grant amounting to EUR 16.25 million will be used for the establishment of protected areas, including the protected areas of Racha and the re-equipment and development of administrative centres in the region.
Racha is rich in biodiversity embracing the important part of the natural heritage of Georgia, therefore, the protection and maintenance of the Racha region is an important priority for the Agency of Protected Areas.
During the parliamentary hearing, Mrs. Nino Tandilashvili mentioned, that currently, the protected areas include approximately 800,000 hectares. The expansion and creation of protected areas are underway and this year it will be increased by approximately 110,000 hectares across the country.