The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Otar Shamugia, and Giorgi Guguchia, State representative of the Samegrelo-Zemo-Svaneti region, opened the new office of the Forestry Service in the city of Zugdidi.

The forestry service will serve nine municipalities of the region. In the restored facility, citizens will have access to all of the National Forestry Agency’s [NFA] services. The facility has essential items, necessary inventory, and equipment.

“It is important that the local community has easy access to the NFA’s services. I would emphasize that the Agency’s top priorities remain social guarantees and the working conditions of employees. With recent legislative amendments, the NFA provides life and health insurance to foresters, including a sort of incentive for the completion of exceptionally difficult tasks, which we believe will considerably enhance employee motivation’’, - said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Kakha Kakabadze.

Almost all regional forestry service offices have been rehabilitated. Part of the vehicle fleet and equipment are currently being upgraded. By the end of September, the NFA will completely renovate the vehicle fleet. 30 units of high-terrain and special-purpose equipment will be provided to nine regional forestry agencies to ensure that forestry and agriculture operations are carried out effectively.