The Joint Commission holds a Working Meeting on the Management of Forests Adjacent to Churches and Monasteries

The Joint Commission, established within the cooperation between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church, held a regular working meeting to discuss issues related to the protection and management of forest areas surrounding churches and monasteries across Georgia.

 

Metropolitan Andria (Gvazava) of Gori and Ateni and Archpriest Petre (Khumarkashvili), Consultant on Ecclesiastical Protected Areas of the Patriarchate, participated in the meeting.

During the session, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Giorgi Tskrialashvili, outlined prospects for cooperation in protecting forest ecosystems surrounding churches and monasteries, with the main focus on their sustainable management.

 

As mentioned by the Deputy Minister, constructive collaboration between the Ministry and the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church will significantly contribute to the protection and sustainable management of forest ecosystems adjacent to churches and monasteries. 

The parties also addressed issues related to the registration of churches and monasteries located within the forested areas, the management of land allocated to the Church, and interagency coordination.


The Joint Commission was established under the Memorandum of Understanding signed on March 15, 2024, between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Notably, the Joint Commission aims to promote the sustainable management of forest areas surrounding churches and monasteries in Georgia, while also supporting the protection and preservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.


The Co-Chair of the Commission, Head of the Forest Policy Department of the Ministry, Mr. Carl Amirgulashvili, Head of the National Forestry Agency, Mr. Besik Amiranashvili, Chair of the Agency of Protected Areas, Mr. Otar Edisherashvili, along with the Heads of relevant Agencies and structural units within the Ministry system, also attended the meeting.