On 08 April, Vasil Gulisashvili Forest Institute hosted the roundtable discussion about the study on economic and social impact of inefficient, unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging on rural populations of Georgia.
Photo: IUCN POSC
The Study is being implemented in the framework of the program is “Improving Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in the European Neighborhood Policy East Countries and Russia” (ENPI FLEG Program). FLEG is an international initiative aiming at better forest law enforcement and governance. In our region the ENPI FLEG Program is being implemented by IUCN, WWF and World Bank in collaboration, and is funded by the European Commission. IUCN contracted Vasil Gulisashvili Forest Institute on March 2010 for studying of impact of inefficient, unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging on rural populations of Georgia.
The main methodology and strategy for conducting of the study were presented during the meeting. One of results of the inception report was the identification of pilot areas, where the field work shall take place: Sagaredjo and Tianeti (Eastern Georgia) and Kharagauli and Borjomi (Western Georgia). These areas were chosen as the most relevant in accordance with the criteria for the study.
Representatives from NGOs working on forestry field in Georgia, IUCN, several state officials from the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Recourses of Georgia and scientists from the Forest Institute attended the meeting.
Participants made valuable comments and suggestions and expressed their willingness to cooperate.
For further questions and information on the conducted study please contact Mr. Paata Torchinava from Vasil Gulisashvili Forest Institute: ptorchinava@forestinstitute.ge
For further questions and information on ENPI FLEG program in Georgia please contact Eka Otarashvili, ekaterine.otarashvili@iucn.org
