1. In which protected areas of Georgia is hunting allowed?

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.

2.  In which protected areas of Georgia is fishing allowed? 

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.

3.  In which protected area of Georgia is fishing with dynamite allowed?

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.

4. In the part of the protected area, where the use with natural resources is allowed for the local population for personal  use, what amount of collection of  fruit, berries and mushrooms is allowed?

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).

5. Is it  possible to gather firewood in the protected area? 

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.

6. Is it possible to pasture cattle in the protected areas, where the usage of renewable natural resources is permitted?

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.

7. Is it possible to gather fruit of woody species of plants, which are in “Red List”, for the personal use?

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”.

8. When was the first protected area established in Georgia?

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.

9. What is the importance of the development of protected area system in Georgia?

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.

10. When was the first reserve established in Georgia?

In 1912, was established the first complex Lagodekhi reserve, where grazing, wood cutting and hunting was banned.

11. When was the first national park established in Georgia?

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.

12. When was the first protected area established in the world?

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.

13. In which country was the first national park established?

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.

14. When was the first protected area established in independent Georgia after 1991?

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.

15. What is the area covered by the protected areas in Georgia?

Currently, a total area of protected areas is 520,811 thousand hectares, which is 7.5% of the territory.

16. In which regions of Georgia does the protected area covers the biggest territory according to the area? 

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.

17. Is it possible for vulnerable population of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi to use fuel wood from protected areas of Georgia?

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.

18. Is it possible to use treatment plants for individual needs, from the protected areas, where the usage of natural resources is allowed?

Local population can use medical plants for personal needs in the places, where the use of natural resources is allowed.

19. Is it possible to move in the protected areas with arms?

Movement with firearm (including smoothbore gun) in the protected areas is not allowed.

20. Is it possible for the representatives of law enforcement bodies to move in a protected area with unassembled guns?

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.

21. Is it possible to light a fire in the protected area, where grazing is permitted?

Fire can only be lit in shepherds houses and specially arranged places, observing fire safety.

22. Can the representatives of law enforcement bodies move in a protected area?

Due to service necessity, representatives of law enforcement bodies can move around the protected area.

23. Is it possible to pasture in the protected areas where grazing is allowed, without paying special tax (fee)?

In the current stage it is permitted. The fee for the use of natural resources can be determined for future.

24. Can local population sow in protected areas in order to grow agricultural products?

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.

25. Is agriculture allowed in protected areas for propagation of the wood species introduced in the “Red List” of Georgia, in order to carry out remedial measures?

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.