Frequently asked questions
Hunting is permitted on animals and birds, in the part of a protected area of managed nature reservecategory, where a special license for developing and managing of hunting farms is issued. Hunting farms are arranged in the managed nature reserve territories of Korughi, Iori, Chachuni and Gardabani. Hunting on this territories are allowed on the basis of permission from management bodies of hunting farms.
In the protected areas, that are under the management of Agency of Protected Areas, sports and amateur fishing, within the framework of terms and conditions according to the Legislation of Georgia, is allowed only in: Kintrishi Protected Landscape, Gardabani Managed Nature Reserve, Kolkheti National Park, Chachuni Managed Nature Reserve, Korughi Managed Nature Reserve, Iori Managed Nature Reserve, Vashlovani National Park and Javakheti Protected areas. Fishing on species protected by “Red List” is prohibited in all the categories of theprotected areas, including the above listed.
Fishing in the protected areas with dynamite, electric shock device, poisonous substances and other illegal means is prohibited. Using these methods during fishing in the territory of Georgia is punishable by law. Fishing on the species, which are included in the “Red List” is allowed by wobbler, fishing-rod and fishnet. The size and shape of these sporting and amateur fishing means are determined by the legislation of Georgia. Also the terms of procuring are defined.
Gathering fruit, berries and mushrooms for personal use, is allowed in the territories of protected landscape, traditional use zone of National Park and Managed Nature Reserves, which are under the management of the Agency of Protected Areas. Specific number for the personal use, is not identified. This means the number of fruit, berries (wild fruit) and mushrooms, that first of all allow them to satisfy the requirements of food. While gathering wild fruit and mushrooms, the most important thing is that to take into account the principle of environmental protection – in the form of sustainable use. Wild fruit should be gathered so as not to damage the trees; They must leave a certain amount of wild fruit in the trees and bushes to give beasts and birds the means of feed and wild fruit – natural reproduction (refreshing).
It is allowed to use timber only for personal use of social request, in the territories of protected landscape, traditional use zone of National Parks and Managed Nature Reserves, that are under the management of the Agency of Protected Areas. It is unallowable to sell wood resources got from the protected areas. Visitors can use firewood, while they are in the territory of protected area. A fire can be lit in picnic areas and tourist shelters for heating and cooking purposes.
Grazing of cattle is prohibited in the forests of protected area. It is only allowed for the local population in the areas uncovered by forests, unless otherwise provided.
Gathering the fruits of woody species including in the “Red List”, for personal use is allowed in the territories of protected landscapes, traditional category zones of National Parks and Managed Nature Reserves. For example, it is possible to gather the fruits of chestnut tree, capers, persimmons and other plants included in the “Red List”.
The first protected area in Georgia was established in 1896 as Ajameti reserve.The reserve was for special purpose, the aim of its establishment was the protection of oak trees in Kolkheti and Imereti lowlands from the local population. Only a certain number of trees could be cut down in these forests for developing wine-making. However, the establishment of Ajameti reserve had a progressive meaning, as in those years of hardship, against the background of spontaneous development of capitalism, the forests of Imereti lowland survived from the mass total cut down.
The guarantor of preserving Georgia’s biological and landscape diversity, ecological security and economic potential of natural resources, protection of natural heritage, ensuring comfortable environment for the population of Georgia and for the development of tourism, is the development of protected area system and territorial expansion.
In 1912, was established the first complex Lagodekhi reserve, where grazing, wood cutting and hunting was banned.
On the basis of the resolution N 1245 of the Minister of the Council of Georgia, in December 24, 1973 (for the 100 anniversary from the establishment of the first National Park) the first Saguramo National Park was established in Georgia. According to the resolution N 372, May 22, 1979 the name of Saguramo National Park was changed and was named Tbilisi National Park. The first National Park in accordance with international standards was established in 1995, in the form of Borjomi-Kharagauli Park.
The king of India, Ashoka passed a law in 252 BC about the protection of animals, fish and forests. This is considered as the oldest document about the establishment of protected areas. The first defender of the nature in Europe and the founder of the first protected area in the world is considered the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who ruled in 117-138 BC. During one of his trips in the eastern part of Roman Empire, he was so indignant when he saw cut down cedar forests in Lebanon, that he ordered to imprint on one hundred of stone blocks that survived cedar forests were declared under the protection of the Empire. The stones were placed in the northern part of Lebanon, in order to protect existing cedar forests.
The first National Park was established in the United States, where President Grant, for the welfare and development of American people and future generation, after US Congress approval, on March 1, 1872, signed the law about the establishment of Yellowstone National Park.
After 1991, on the basis of the resolution N 447 of July 28, 1995 of the Cabinet of Ministers, the first Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Nedzvi, Tetrobi and Ktsia-Tabatskuri Managed Nature Reserves were established in Georgia.
Currently, a total area of protected areas is 520,811 thousand hectares, which is 7.5% of the territory.
In the regions of Georgia most of the protected teritorry by area is represented in Kakhjeti region, where protected areas cover 17.1% of the region.Then comes Samtskhe-Javakheti, where protected areas cover 14,3% of the region, in Adjara protected areas cover 13.6% of the territory, in Abkhazia – 7%, in Samagrelo-Zemo Svaneti (Mingrelia-upper Svaneti)-4,7% ( here protected areas are represented only in Kolkheti lowland. In mountainous part of Samegrelo and ZemoSvaneti protected areas asre not established), in Guria-4,7% (in Guria protected areas are represented only in the part of Kolkheti lowland), in Imereti -4,2%, in Mtskheta-Mtianeti-4.2%, in KvemoKartli(Lower Kartli) – 2,2% and in Shida Kartli-1,3% (in this territories Liakhvi State Reserve is represented, which is in the occupied territory of South Ossetia). In Racha-Lechkhimi and QvemoSvaneti (Lower Svaneti) protected areas are not established, accordingly it covers 0% of the territory.
For people living in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi the use of firewood from protected areas is not allowed. Firewood use is only permitted for the local population living near protected areas.
Local population can use medical plants for personal needs in the places, where the use of natural resources is allowed.
Movement with firearm (including smoothbore gun) in the protected areas is not allowed.
In agreement with the administration of protected areas and within the framework of requirements of the Legislation of Georgia, representatives of law enforcement bodies can move in protected areas with unassembled as well as loaded fire-arms, while performing their duties.
Fire can only be lit in shepherds houses and specially arranged places, observing fire safety.
Due to service necessity, representatives of law enforcement bodies can move around the protected area.
In the current stage it is permitted. The fee for the use of natural resources can be determined for future.
In territories that are under the management of the Agency of Protected Areas, tillage for cultivation of agricultural products is not allowed. The exception is the territory of Kintrishi Protected Landscape.
In the protected areas of corresponding category, where the implementation of remedial measures for restoration and cultivation of the wood species included in the “Red list” is permitted, carrying out supportive measures for natural regeneration is possible, including tillage.