News
Joint Commission holds an Expanded 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 an expanded working meeting to discuss issues related to the protection and management of forest areas surrounding churches and monasteries across Georgia.
During the meeting, Mr. Giorgi Tskrialashvili, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, spoke about planned measures for the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems in forests adjacent to churches and monasteries.
"Coordinated cooperation between the Ministry and the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Autocephalous Church will play a significant role in ensuring the protection and sustainable management of forest ecosystems surrounding churches and monasteries," noted Mr. Giorgi Tskhriashvili.
The parties also addressed the registration of churches and monasteries located in forests, the management of areas transferred to the Church, and Inter-Agency coordination-related issues.
Notably, the Joint Commission on Forest Management was established under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Autocephalous Church on March 15, 2024.
The aim of the Commission is to promote the sustainable management of forest areas surrounding churches and monasteries in Georgia, while preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage.
The Co-Chair of the Joint Commission, Metropolitan Andria Gwazava of Gori and Ateni, Archpriest Petre (Khumarkashvili), Consultant on Ecclesiastical Protected Areas of the Patriarchate, Archpriest Mikael Botkoveli, Joint Commission Coordinator and Deputy Head of the Patriarchate’s Church Protected Areas Service, Gocha Aronishidze; Patriarchate Lawer, Edisher Karchava, the Co-Chair of the Commission, Head of the Forest Policy Department of the Ministry, Mr. Carl Amirgulashvili, the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Mr. Besik Amiranashvili, Director of the Environmental Information and Education Center, Mrs. Tamta Devdariani, Deputy Chair of the National Agency of State Property, Mr. Mirian Chachava, Acting Chair of the National Agency of Public Registry, Mr. Nikoloz Aznaurashvili, the Director General of the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, Mrs.Tea Oniani, the representatives of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, including the Heads of relevant Departments of the Ministry, and other interested stakeholders, attended the meeting.