Meeting with the Representatives of Baghdati Municipality

On December 27, 2013, the Agency of Protected Areas held a meeting at the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament with the representatives of the Baghdati and Zestaponi municipalities. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current problems existing in villages of the abovementioned municipalities. In addition to Giorgi Tsagareishvili, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, the meeting was attended by Rati Japaridze, Chairman of the Agency of Protected Areas, Paata Kiknavelidze, Majority Deputy of Baghdati, Mevlud Kiknavelidze, Governor, Guram Gorgodze, Attorney of Dimi village, and Gocha Ghibradze, Director of Ajameti Managed Reserve.

With the arrival of winter, the population residing in the villages of Baghdati and Zestaponi Municipalities faced a firewood supply problem. Part of the local population, which for some reason is experiencing a shortage of wood, is demanding the right to collect logs on the territory of the Ajameti Managed Reserve. It should be noted that the Ajameti forests are unique and are home to Imeretian and Zelkova Oak groves. Therefore, taking timber from the reserve will lead to a decreased density of the forest as a result. Similar problems were regularly observed in past years when the government allowed uncontrolled logging on the Ajameti territory. Currently, due to the lack of forest resources, harvesting firewood from the Reserve is prohibited.

The management plan for Ajameti Managed Reserve will be prepared in 2015 by the APA. The conditions for sustainable timber use will be considered in addition to other important issues affecting the reserve.

The second topic discussed during the meeting was the increased number of wolves attacking cattle in the villages. As a result of the demands from the disturbed residents of Baghdati Municipality, the local government sent a request to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection asking for permission to reduce the local wolf population. In order to consider interests of locals, the request was approved for the territories of Baghdati and Zestaponi Municipalities, excluding Ajameti Managed Reserve; Ajameti is currently regulated by a short-term law that strictly prohibits any kind of activity that could harm animals residing in the reserve.