EU helps fund recovery of degraded forest in Adjara

An excessively grazed forest in Adjara is being given new life using new machinery purchased by European Union (EU) funds.

Forest restoration works will start soon in Georgia’s Adjara region thanks to new equipment that enables the Forestry Agency of Adjara (FAA) to remove tall grass and other ground vegetation and promote the regeneration of valuable forest trees.

In the framework of the EU-funded €9 million Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Programme (FLEG II), WWF Caucasus has purchased a mini-tractor, drilling mechanism, cultivator and rotating cultivator for the FAA.

In addition to removing the tall grass and other ground vegetation the FAA will be able to begin fencing works, which is planned to start at the end of July and beginning of August.

The project aimed to help to recover Caucasian fir and spruce trees which are significantly degraded due to excessive grazing through fencing of more than 100 ha of degraded forest.