The concept document of the national policy of sustainable pasture management was discussed in the Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti regional administration
The document was developed in the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia with the involvement of Georgian and international experts and is aimed at establishing consistent approach to the sustainable use and protection of pastures.
Giorgi Misheladze, the Chairman of the National Agency for Sustainable Land Management and Land Use Monitoring, along with representatives from the Ministry, the Regional Environmental Protection Center of the Caucasus (REC Caucasus), State Representative of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region Parmen Margvelidze, and the mayors of the municipalities, participated in discussions on the main directions of the concept document during a meeting at the regional administration.
The main novelty of the developed document is the determination of the status of rural pasture, winter and summer pasture by law. Also, the introduction of state and municipal ownership of pastures, which implies both common use and lease. According to the municipal management plans, pastures will be identified, classified, zoned and use modes determined. A system of common use of pastures will be introduced on pastures near rural settlements. Associations of users will be created and village pastures will be transferred to them. The rest of the pastures will be leased. The policy document will form the basis for the preparation of the legislative package for pasture management.
The concept document of the “National Policy for Sustainable Pasture Management" was developed by national and international experts in coordination with the inter-agency working group formed within the framework of the project "Achieving Land Degradation Neutral Balance (LDN) National Goals through restoration and sustainable management of degraded pastures". The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
