The Tana Reserve and the Tana and Tedzami Protected Landscape, with an area of 32,850 hectares in central Georgia's Gori Municipality, are the latest protected areas joining the list of natural locations in Georgia after a bill was approved by the Georgian Government on Monday.

Distinguished by the diversity of flora and fauna species, the areas established in the Tana and Tedzami valleys are an “important site” for biodiversity conservation, Georgia’s Environment Ministry said. 

The new protected locations will seek to protect flora and fauna widespread in the area but included in the Red List of Georgia that marks endangered species. The conservation of the “unique ecosystem,” preservation of historical and cultural landscape, and sustainable use of natural resources are goals served by the bill. 

• Number of ecotourists in Georgia quadruples since 2012

The state body further pointed out the development of tourism and recreational infrastructure in the area as a benefit for signing the bill, adding a “full utilisation” of recreational potential would be a “significant source of income” for the local population.

The Government announced the creation of the two new protected areas in September last year in its short-term action plan.

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