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‘’Minister’s Hour’’ Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili presents a report at the hearing session, Parliament of Georgia
"2018 was the first and the most important year for the consolidated Ministry. A new structure has been established to respond to challenges in the direction of environmental protection and agriculture.
The policy of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture is based on three main strategic documents: III The Third National Environmental Action Programme of Georgia 2017-2021; Georgia's Rural Development Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2020; Georgia's Agricultural Development Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2020 "said Levan Davitashvili.
• The National Environmental Action Program (NEAP3) of Georgia was approved in 2018, which is the country's main strategic document and action program in the field of environmental and natural resources protection.
NEAP3 defines long-term strategic priorities, goals, tasks and specific action plan for five-year period in accordance with the challenges facing the country, the Association Agreement of the EU, sustainable development goals and obligations taken under the multilateral environmental agreements.
• In 2019, new windbreaks will be planted, which is very important for soil protection - said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili in his speech within the "Minister's Hours".
According to the Minister, together with the Agrarian Issues Committee of the Parliament, the Law of Georgia on Windbreaks was prepared in 2018.
"The new law will regulate legal relations related to granting of status, restoration, cultivation, inventory, planting, management and use of agricultural land plots. The planting of windbreaks will help to sustain the fertility of soil and improve agricultural yield in rural areas "said the Minister.
According to Levan Davitashvili, the planting of windbreaks under the projects funded by donor ornagizations are underway at this stage in different municipalities of Georgia. In 2018, windbreak on 6.5km was planted in Dedoplistskaro municipality.
In 2019 windbreaks will be planted in Gardabani, Gori and Kareli municipalities.
Levan Davitashvili also noted, that in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the project to restore degraded pastures in Kazbegi, Dmanisi and Gurjaani municipalities is also planned to be implemented. The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili underlined the importance of biodiversity in the country, according to him, at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Berne Convention in 2018, Georgia has presented 36 new Emerald Network sites which was approved by the Committee.
At this stage the 58 Emerald sites are selected, 39 of them are approved by the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention, 7 sites are candidates and 12 more are proposed.
According to Levan Davitashvili, in spring and autumn 2018, the scientific research was conducted on 3 compensation territories. After the approval of the emerald sites, management plans will be prepared within 6 years.
The Minister drew his attention to the establishment of "Wildlife Management Agency". The main functions of which are: accounting and further monitoring of species of flora and fauna, organizing research, creation of necessary genealogy for reproduction, habitat restoration; regulation on hunting and sport fishing; to provide private sector with necessary duplication of materials and consulting services; to raise environmental awareness.