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Investigation over Cutting-down of Prime Borjomi Plateau Forest Opened

July 8, 2008

Today Irakli Ghvaladze, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and Lasha Chkadua, the head of Forest Department personally checked the condition of the unique forest that is located in the Borjomi Plateau.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources have detected the facts of illegal-cutting of the forest at the House of Composers in the Borjomi Gorge. The tree jackers used to burn the tree stumps in order to show that they had been cut down earlier and to hide their illegal logging activities. After having personally seen the situation firsthand, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources proceeded to dismiss the Head of Borjomi Forest District and several responsible forest rangers. The Inspection for Environmental Protection then sealed up two saw-mills in the Borjomi Gorge over the alleged illegally harvesting of trees from Borjomi Plateau. It is further claimed that the logs had been processed at these mills.  Consequently law enforcers have launched as investigation based on that a criminal act had been committed.

Irakli Ghvaladze, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources met with locals and informed them on how to use forest and trees correctly. Ghvaladze explained that the population will have to meet all necessary conditions in legally using forest resources. They will be able to cut trees both to have material for bio ovens and for construction materials.  However, lax forest rangers and people who were illegally cutting down trees will be punished to the full extent of the law. In order to save the plateau it will be designated as a protected territory, after upon the preparation of legal documents, the government will decide the issue. 

sourse: Media.ge

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