Forestry Professionals Honoured for Their Contributions to Forest Protection and the Development of the Forestry Sector

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia marked Forester’s Day with a ceremony honouring representatives from various institutions and scientific and academic communities for their outstanding contributions to forest protection and the development of the forestry sector.



Mr David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, congratulated forestry professionals on their professional day and highlighted the importance of their daily work and professional commitment to forest protection and sustainable forest management.



“Georgia’s forestry reform has been underway since 2013, aiming to ensure the sustainable management and restoration of the country’s forests and the conservation of biodiversity. I am proud that, together, we have laid the groundwork for unprecedented and comprehensive changes on a scale never before seen in Georgia’s history.



This is a commitment not only to protecting our forests, but also to serving our society and safeguarding our country’s future. These goals would not have been achievable without the dedication and tireless efforts of the professionals who protect and care for Georgia’s forests — forest rangers, foresters, specialists, and scientists.

On this special occasion, I am pleased to honour forestry professionals whose significant contributions have advanced forestry development in our country. Thanks to your dedication, our forests are in good hands, and you can count on the Ministry as a trusted partner and steadfast supporter of your work,” stated Minister David Songulashvili.



In recognition of their outstanding professional service over the years, representatives of the National Forestry Agency, the Agency of Protected Areas, the Department of Environmental Supervision and the Forestry Agency of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara received honorary badges and monetary awards. Representatives of the scientific and academic communities working in the forestry sector were also honoured.




At the initiative of Minister Songulashvili, forestry professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the sector were awarded the honorary title of “Meritorious Forester” and presented with special honours.



During the event, Mr Besik Amiranashvili, Head of the National Forestry Agency, delivered a presentation on the forestry reform. Notably, in addition to improving forest protection and forest-use practices, the reform aims to strengthen forest monitoring and oversight. The event also featured the presentation of a video entitled ‘’Forestry Reform 2026 ".



As part of the forestry reform, the forest protection and monitoring system has been significantly strengthened. Moreover, to prevent illegal logging and strengthen forest protection, more than 1.7 million hectares of forest have been divided into 903 forest protection units, each assigned to a designated forest ranger responsible for its protection, oversight, and management.

In addition, 499 new employees have been recruited to strengthen forest monitoring and oversight, including 401 forest rangers.



 As a result, the area assigned to each forest ranger has been reduced from 10,000–15,000 hectares to an average of about 2,000 hectares. Consequently, forest rangers’ salaries doubled in January of this year.

Under the modern forest protection and monitoring model, monitoring processes have been fully digitised. Tablets, body-worn cameras, two-way radios and camera traps are now used in state oversight, enhancing the effectiveness of forest protection and on-the-ground monitoring.


 

Representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government, the academic community, and environmental non-governmental organisations attended the event.