The National Forestry Agency [NFA] is continuing forest restoration activities in the Imereti region. This year, an additional forest restoration project will be implemented over nearly 94 hectares adjacent to the village of Ajameti, which also includes measures to facilitate natural regeneration. Besik Amiranashvili, Head of the NFA, visited the site to inspect the progress of the project.

"The oak forest stands of Imereti are not only valuable in terms of biodiversity, but also serve as an important recreational space for the local population. Accordingly, the NFA is implementing measures that will promote forest restoration and the full utilization of its potential. The positive results of natural regeneration are already evident, and our specialists conduct continuous monitoring of the territory to ensure the efficiency of the process", -said Besik Amiranashvili.

The area adjacent to Ajameti village and the "Kutaisis Mukhnari", which feature species protected by the Red List such as the Imeretian Oak and Caucasian Zelkova, were significantly degraded over decades due to illegal logging and pollution.

Forest restoration measures in the "Kutaisi Oak Grove" have been ongoing since 2018. Alongside sanitary cutting, both artificial reforestation and measures to support natural regeneration have been carried out. To date, forest restoration activities cover an area of 311.4 hectares. Nearly 9,500 seedlings of broadleaf species have been planted, including the Red List-protected Imeretian Oak. Furthermore, as part of the drainage infrastructure development, land reclamation/drainage works were conducted in the flooded areas.