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

print

share

On the initiative of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Forester's Day was celebrated in the Botanical Garden.

Minister Otar Shamugia congratulated the foresters on their professional day and thanked them for their contribution to developing the forestry sector. Successful foresters of the year were revealed and provided with awards and symbolic gifts for their challenging and risky activities.

"Georgia is rich in forests. Our traditions, culture, and knowledge help us to preserve and care for forests. Over the past decade, many changes have been made in the forestry sector. With the help of our international partners and supporters, we gradually try to solve the long-standing problems. It can be said, that today we have the results that will bring even more benefits to the country and its population in the future",  said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Kakha Kakabadze, addressed the participants, noting that the progress achieved by the sector in recent years is the result of the great work undertaken by the Ministry and the National Forestry Agency.

"Legislation was adjusted, governance process was improved, forest inventory and preparation of management plans became systematic, the scale of forest care/maintenance and restoration measures increased, forestry infrastructure was developed through creating the log sort yards and forest roads; organized timber-producing activities contribute to developing the timber market and creating local jobs, and eventually, the foresters play a significant part in all of the mentioned activities", said Mr. Kakha Tsertsvadze.

The Head of the National Forestry Agency, Mr. Kakha Tsertsvadze, congratulated the foresters on their professional day.

"Apart from its primary ecological purpose, Georgia's forest has enormous potential to contribute significantly to the economic progress of the country. However, these benefits will not be achieved in the long run without a proper institutional system, proper planning of activities, and protection, maintenance, and restoration of forests. The National Forestry Agency has entirely upgraded the special purpose vehicle fleet to ensure the effective implementation of the forestry measures. Furthermore, social guarantees and employee working conditions remain the Agency's top priorities. With the recently adopted legislative amendments, we are currently providing foresters with life and health insurance, including incentives for the completion of challenging tasks, which we believe will significantly increase the motivation of employees", said Mr. Kakha Tsertsvadze.

 

The Head of the Agency thanked both foresters and representatives of non-governmental and international organizations for their long-standing support and contributions to protecting the country's unique resources. Over the years, the National Forestry Agency has implemented several projects with the support of the GIZ, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), CENN, and other partners.

Celebrities, athletes, actors, singers, and media representatives were also awarded at the event for their continuous involvement in the information campaigns of the National Forestry Agency.

Representatives of the legislative body, the academic circle, environmental non-governmental, and partner international organizations attended the event.