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

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About 300 trees were planted in the Krtsanisi Forest Park as part of a large-scale greening campaign

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, State Representative in the Kvemo Kartli region, Mr. Giorgi Dokhturishvili and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia, Mr.  Ulrich Tidestrom participated in the large-scale tree planting action in the Krtsanisi Forest Park.

Within the framework of the action, about 300 trees, plants, and species of evergreen trees and shrubs included in the Red List of Georgia were planted in the Krtsanisi Forest Park, aiming to restore the floodplain forest. The planted species included Elm trees, Silverberries, Eldar Pines, Pistachio trees, Hackberries, Olive trees, and others. It should be mentioned, that a new forest area was planted in the Krtsanisi Forest Park, which was named after the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Moreover, the respective area was fenced and irrigation systems were organized in the aforementioned territory.

The employees of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the agencies within the system of the Ministry participated in the large-scale campaign.

"We have started rehabilitation works in the Krtsanisi forest park with the active engagement and support of the Swedish government, thence, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to them. Krtsanisi Forest Park is located between Rustavi and Tbilisi cities, meanwhile, it should become one of the top recreational spaces and, at the same time, it will come to raise awareness about environmental issues.

On the one hand, we must protect the ecosystem, and biodiversity of the forest park, and, on the other hand, we would make it the best place for outdoor recreational activities. Overall, the respective area will become one of the crucial areas for Rustavi and Tbilisi cities" said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia.


"I am very delighted for paying a visit to the Krtsanisi Forest Park and participate in the tree planting action jointly with hundreds of other people. The Swedish side is really happy and supports the development of Krtsanisi Forest Park. Accessible green space is essential for residents of Rustavi and Tbilisi cities. This initiative ultimately serves to protect and restore Georgia's biodiversity," said the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Georgia, Mr. Ulrik Tideström.

The restoration of the floodplain forest in the Krtsanisi Forest Park is being organized by the National Wildlife Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and financed by the Swedish government within the framework of the project "Save Nature - Georgia".

Within the project, two important  tasks will be performed, specifically, "Restoration/rehabilitation of the degraded ecosystem of the Krtsanisi forest and establishment of the South Caucasus Ecosystems Research and Restoration Center" and " Ex situ conservation of threatened plant species included in the Red List ", to this end, restoration activities were taken on 7, 5 km long road section of a Krtsanisi forest park;

Moreover, the planting of trees, fence line gardening, fence perimeter landscaping, installation of outdoor lighting, and fencing of 50 ha of park area were completed in the Krtsanisi forest. The rehabilitation activities also included the building of decorative squares arranging/organizing of irrigation systems, and planting of about 5,000 green plants of different species, including a grass lawn. Large-scale landscaping works will continue until the spring of 2023.

The project "Save Nature - Georgia" will be implemented in 2021-2024, which will help the Wildlife Agency to improve management efficiency and promote sustainable management of wildlife in Georgia. Under the framework of the project, the first public space will be created in Krtsanisi Forest Park to promote greater environmental awareness and recreation, which will ultimately contribute to the preservation of the existing unique ecosystem. 

Within the framework of the project, the respective campaign will support the implementation of the national goals determined by the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the goals of sustainable development (SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 –Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and SDG 15 - Life on Land) and the goals of NEAP3.

The respective project is in line with the priorities of Georgia, particularly in the process of integration with the European Union.