Besik Kusidi, the Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Agency of Protected Areas visited the Ajameti Managed Reserve. He familiarized himself with the progress of the Imeruli oak restoration project which is under progress here.
The restoration project is being implemented by the biological farms association “Elkana.” The BP company provides financial support for the project. The project aims to restore, protect, and preserve the species protected by the red list of Georgia, including Imeruli oak.
The project consists two phases,in the first phase about 5000 Imeruli oak saplings were planted on 1.4 hectares. The area with the Imeruli oak saplings was fenced to prevent damage from stray animals. Moreover a drip irrigation system was arranged and a water reservoir with a 20-ton capacity was installed.
In the second phase 6334 Imeruli oak and Georgian oak seedlings were planted and a 200-ton water tank for irrigation was installed. In total within the project’s framework 25,000 Imeruli oak and Georgian oak saplings will be planted in an area of 7.4 hactare in Ajamet’s Abkhvetili and a small nursery will be organized.
According to the available information the total cost of the project is 1,675,588 GEL and it will be implemented within three years. The Agency of Protected Areas has successful cooperation with BP. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the organizations to promote the sustainable development of the protected areas system and to strengthen the capabilities of protected area employees.
It is worth noting that BP’s support of the recovery of unique species is very important. Under the framework of a memorandum of understanding research is being conducted to protect the noble deer in Tbilisi National Park. The project’s implementing partner is the Center for Consultation and Training.
It is to be added that the agency for protected area is responsible for safeguarding protected landscapes of the country. Tusheti Protected Landscape was the first protected landscape in Georgia.
