The Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee discussed amendments to the Law on the Establishment and Management of the Protected Areas of Racha.

The Draft was introduced by Zurab Ezugbaia, Deputy Environmental Protection and Agriculture Minister.

The purpose of the draft law is to expand protected areas in the Racha region on the basis of conclusions derived from studies conducted for the establishment and enlargement of protected areas. In particular, the draft law provides for the expansion of Racha National Park by 4,759 hectares at the expense of the territory of Ambrolauri Municipality, as well as the establishment of five Natural Monuments in the municipalities of Ambrolauri and Oni—Sakishori Cave, Shareula Cave, Usholti Cave, Muradi Cave, and Kidobana Cave. The management of these natural monuments will be carried out by the Racha National Park Administration.

In addition, the draft law envisages the establishment of the Ambrolauri Protected Landscape, covering an area of 50,240.4 hectares within Ambrolauri Municipality. The management of this protected landscape will be carried out by Ambrolauri Municipality, within the scope of delegated authority.