Wildlife experts begin restoring floodplain forest in Krtsanisi Forest Park

The Georgian Agency of Wildlife has begun the process of restoring floodplain forest in the Krtsanisi Forest Park, located near the capital city of Tbilisi, with an idea of turning the territory into a “significant recreational area,” the Agency revealed on Friday.

A team of wildlife professionals has been preserving the existing “unique” flora and fauna, and cultivating Red List species of plants on the territory. As a result of the planting, the area now features species typical to floodplain forests, including flood oak, elm, zelkova tree, gean and forest chestnut. 

The Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, also said it had developed a plan for irrigation and lake restoration in the location, with the first stage of irrigation already carried out.

Photo: Agency of Wildlife

A medium-capacity pumping station on the Mtkvari River in the country's south, a groundwater borehole and a 100 kW solar power plant have been built on the territory, with the energy generated by the solar plant balancing the pumping cost, the Agency explained.

Additionally, the body aims to restore irrigation canals in the floodplains of the Park by increasing the capacity of the solar station and irrigation pumping stations. A general renewal and restoration of the Krtsanisi Forest Park through “large-scale” works are also part of the plans of the Agency.

The Georgian Government launched the initiative for restoration and development of the Park in May 2019, as part of a state programme for biodiversity recovery. Created in the 1960s to maintain biodiversity and raise public awareness about environmental ideas, the area is known for its “unique ecosystem”.