Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Chairman of the “Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia”, said in an interview with Entrepreneur Georgia that a unique project will be implemented in Tbilisi to plant the Mtatsminda slope.

According to him, a specialist - Temur Tkemaladze – prepared a project to plant vegetation on the Mtatsminda slope.
“In the period between 1940 and 1960, tremendous work was done to plant vegetation on the slopes of Tbilisi, from Mtatsminda to Kus Tba [Turtle Lake]. However, many imported, alien plant species such as the thuja, the cypress, and the black pine were planted there. These species had decreased lifespans and often succumbed to diseases due to unaccustomed climate conditions and rocky soil. For this reason, the Mtatsminda slope looks faded and burnt. We will replace all the withered and diseased plants on the entire slope with species that are native to the Caucasus – field and mountain maples, the Caucasian pine, the Persian turpentine tree, the oak, the nettle tree, and the ash. Additionally, trails and rest areas will be created on the mountain ridge. Lebanon cedars, Atlas cedars, and Himalayan cedars, which are distinguished by their long lifespans, will be planted alongside the trail. Thousands of flowering lilacs, almonds, and red cherry plums will be planted and this will significantly revitalize the view from Tbilisi as well as its ecology.
I think the project is of a historic magnitude and will elicit positive feedback from the residents of Tbilisi. And Temur planned this project in a way that will make it possible to our Sacred Mountain to bloom in different colors during any season.
The territory stretching from Sololaki to Kus Tba measures approximately 400 hectares and the estimated total value of the project will amount to 12-15 million GEL. Additionally, I would like to remind the public that for three years, new trees were constantly being planted within the framework of the Tabori Mountain project. However, it would appear that the species were not chosen correctly and this process did not turn out to have been completely successful. I hope that together with Temur, we will successfully conclude this project and present the residents of Tbilisi with a great gift”, - said Ivanishvili.