Tbilisi:Â Nino Tandilashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture Nino Tandilashvili attended the presentation of the report of the results of the national forest census of the country. This first national census of forests in Georgia was carried out by the technical and financial support of the German government.
Notably, the field works of the National Forest Census were carried out throughout the country in 2019-2021, and the data obtained from the field works in the year 2022- 2019 were processed. Relevant reports and recommendations were prepared for the successful implementation of the environment-related project.
This refined and processed data provides opportunities to develop a forest monitoring system and scientific research, develop evidence-based policies, and strengthen research institutions. Nino Tandilashvili noted that this is the first time the national census and inventory of forests have been held in Georgia which means that we have more accurate data and information about the situation in Georgian forests.
Nino Tandilashvili further said both international and Georgian experts were involved in the national forest census to ensure accurate data. Georgia’s forests, which cover more than 40% of the country’s territory, require attention and care, especially in the wake of climate change and global warming.
It is very important that the reform which we started with the adoption of the Georgian Forest Code, continue successfully to create forest farms across the country, implement sustainable practices of forest resources, and pay special attention to forest maintenance and restoration measures. All of this will ensure that we preserve the unique resource that is called Georgian forests.
It should be noted that the presentation of the report of the results of the national forest census was held within the framework of the project “ECO Georgia”, supporting the implementation of forest sector reform in Georgia, co-financed by the Green Climate Fund and the governments of Germany, Switzerland and Georgia and implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development International Cooperation Society of Istro and Germany By ( GIZ ).
Christian Goener, head of the sustainable forest management component of the ECO Georgia project, stated, “The results of the national forest census have shown us that Georgian forests are rich in biodiversity, species of trees or natural forest types. Along with this, we have seen that Georgia needs some time to restore stocks of fragile resources and maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services that will ensure forest conservation and help prevent natural disasters”.
