Otar Shamugia, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, on Tuesday said the involvement of local self-government and locals in expanding protected areas in the western region of Racha was of “particular importance”.

Shamugia said a new protected area would be created in the territory in the region where a hunting farm was planned to be organised before the National Environment Agency cancelled the licence for the project.

• Agriculture Minister - studies underway to create protected area in western Racha region

The Minister said declaring the licence invalid had been preceded by a “series of legal processes” that started in May, while the decision was also preceded by an oral hearing, where the local government, forestry service, Agency of Protected Areas and representatives of the licensee were involved.

More than a year and eight months have passed since the said licence was issued, and no significant activity has been carried out by the licensee [...] The country provides an environment for making investments, and the Government supports it as much as possible, however, when we see non-fulfillment of obligations, we cannot wait for the process for years and take the appropriate decision”, Shamugia said.

The Minister also urged protesters against the alleged sale of the forest area in the locality who raised concerns about the fate of the location in September to join the process for creating the new protected area in the region. 

• Environment Ministry rejects misinformation over selling forest in western Georgia, says “no reason to hold protests”

He also called on the protesters to cooperate with the Agency of Protected Areas to “ensure decisions taken serve the interests of the local population and protection of the unique biodiversity” of the region.

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