You can see the pine trees of Tbilisi’s iconic Mtatsminda Ridge browning from almost any vantage in central Tbilisi. Fungi, pests and climate change are all responsible for the death of trees. The Development and Environment Foundation is leading the revitalization of Tbilisi’s urban forest, funded by the Cartu Foundation and under an agreement with Tbilisi City Hall. This four-year project aims to improve the forest’s resilience and reduce natural hazards.
In the next few years, Mtatsminda Ridge will be planted with between 500,000 and 800,000 trees, representing nearly 40 different species. A system of irrigation will also be installed to ensure its long-term survival.
Cartu Fund was established by Bidzina, former Georgian PM, and Chairman of Georgian Dream Party, Bidzina, to finance the restoration of 700 hectares of forest. The project is estimated at 16 millions GEL.
GEORGIA TODAY contacted Nikoloz Ckhetiani, the Chairman of the Supervisory board at Cartu Fund, following the official announcement made last year. We also contacted him this fall to get an update on the Cartu Fund project.
What is the size of the area that will be replanted, and where does it lie?
The area will cover 700 ha (7 sq km) between the Mother of Georgia Statue on the Sololaki Range and Mount Mtatsminda including the Vera Range, Turtle Lake and the Vera Range.
When will the project begin and how long will it take?
Planning began in January 2020. However, the pandemic put this on hold and we could not announce our project until summer because, of course everyone was focused on it. This is a long-term, multi-year project. Budget and this project are difficult to estimate. We have 16 million GEL at the moment but this could increase.
Why was this project funded?
Cartu Fund, a large and oldest charitable foundation in Georgia, is a large and well-established foundation. In 20 years, we have donated $3 billion to charitable causes across many fields: education, culture, sports and science. We are also very concerned about the environment. We have funded many projects within various Protected Areas of Georgia including Vashlovani Tusheti Lagodekhi. Tbilisi is facing a serious environmental problem that has been building up over the years. Many trees are dead or dried up. This project is needed because our once green capital has become increasingly dirty. Mtatsminda, one of the most important sightseeing destinations in Tbilisi, is also a place we must protect and make as green as it was when we were children.
What part of the project is concerned with the forest and vegetation and what part is concerned with infrastructure such as pathways and shelters for picnics?
There will be no permanent structures made of concrete or brick. There will be temporary eco-friendly infrastructure for picnics, tourist walkways, cycle paths, and other temporary events. The rest of the area will be covered in greenery.
What challenges are you expecting to face?
Mtatsminda was not always green. It was a forested region during the medieval period. However, over time, the woods were used for other purposes, which led to the deforestation. Photos from the 19th century and early 20th century clearly show that the mountain was “bald”, with mostly grass and few trees. In the 1950s-60s the Soviet government began to plant vegetation on Mtatsminda. While we are grateful to those who carried out the work, mistakes were also made.
Some of the trees planted there weren’t native to Georgia and their natural longevity was reduced by being in an unnatural habitat. All the trees were planted within a few short years of eachother, which is why we see them die off in large numbers at the end. Some trees are infected or pest-ridden. Some species of trees are more resistant to environmental factors than others, and so not all the trees on Mount Arenare are dying.
The first challenge was to choose the right vegetation. We cannot afford to make mistakes by choosing plants that won’t survive for more than a few years. Our specialists were responsible for selecting endemic species grown in Georgian nurseries. Everything imported from abroad has already been tested and proven to survive in Georgia. Cedar, for instance, has proven to be extremely resilient in the Georgian climate. They are beautiful, healthy, and grow large. We are striving for diversity, but we have a focus on Georgian endemic plants. This ensures their survival. Their size and age will depend on their species and will be based upon specialist recommendations.
Tell us about your initial stages.
This is a project that will last for around four years. The deadline can be extended if necessary, and budgets can be increased if required. Our goal was to start the first wave in autumn 2020.
Before that, we had to remove the sick trees, damaged trees, and dead ones. We did this very carefully to ensure that no diseased matter, or pests, were left behind to infect remaining healthy trees.
The Mount has large areas of dead vegetation. This indicates a monoculture. Other areas, with mixed species, are already developed, so the removal of dead tree in these green zones won’t be noticeable. The removal of dead or diseased tree from large areas will leave a part of Mount bare, like a desert, for a time.
The next step will be to install an irrigation system, which is a costly undertaking. This is an important step because our climate does not allow us to simply plant the vegetation and then walk away.
Parallel to the planting activities, walkways with safety barriers and lighting in hazardous areas will be installed. There are already dirt tracks that make for interesting walks. Within two hours, you can walk from Bombora Park (Mtatsminda) to Turtle Lake. It is difficult to imagine that a city dweller could walk to Turtle Lake in two hours or even at all. This is a trip usually made by car. The paths are there and you don’t have to wait another four years to enjoy them.
What are the main goals of this project?
This is a complex project with many different directions. Our ultimate goal is stopping the degradation of vegetation. We’ve worked with top specialists all over the nation to study the landscape, vegetation, and fauna that lives or can live there. We want to bring species back that we’ve lost, like the legendary pheasant [shot by King Vakhtang in the 5th Century, which led to Tbilisi being founded].
Who will be responsible to maintain the area?
Tbilisi City Hall will grant the area the status Urban Forest and take its management. This status will prevent the privatization and preservation of land plots for future generations. The area will not be available for sale as a plot of land to build private homes and holiday homes. The location will feature only eco-friendly infrastructure, such as walkways, picnic areas and so on. We aim for a minimal amount of civilization, and carefully designed infrastructure which does not interfere with the feeling of nature and wilderness.
City Hall will be responsible for drafting the plan, as they are now in charge of cleaning and maintaining this area. The project includes cleaning the area and removing the garbage that has accumulated over the years.
At the beginning, we also wanted to involve students and children, getting them involved in planting or cleaning activities. We have contacts at the Tbilisi universities and many would like to be involved. This goal has been delayed due to the pandemic. Due to Covid regulations, large events and promotions are prohibited. We hope to implement the plan in the near future, when the situation in the nation normalizes.
Are you ready to accept criticism?
Many people expect immediate results. However, this is a long-term project and the results will not be visible in a few weeks, months or even years. It will only be tangible after a long time.
Everyone should know that a tree cannot grow within a week. Yet, criticism is often political, unfair, and meant to find fault with all we do. This is not pleasant for us.
We have not undertaken this project for the sake popularity: everyone agrees this [the restoration Mtatsminda] needs to be done. This is a result of the goodwill and not the budget of the state. We’ll do what we can and the time will tell if we succeed.
How did Covid-19 delay the project and challenge it?
The Covid-19 pandemic and cases found in project workers have delayed the implementation of certain projects. Even one case meant the entire group had to be isolated.
Approximately how many people are being employed during the construction/planting process?
Around 100 people. Locals have also been involved in the work process, giving them a chance to earn extra income through this project.
What stage of implementation are you at?
By October 2021, eight kilometers of trails from Mtatsminda Ridge up to Turtle Lake had been reconstructed. The process of felling and planting is also well underway. During the work process, it became apparent that more trees were needed to be removed than originally planned.
What can people expect in 6 months?
As I mentioned earlier, we have already reconstructed a part of the Mtastminda Ridge trails, which are being used by people. We will plant almost 50,000 plants in the next six months. We plan to plant even more trees this spring. If the pandemic situation improves, we want to involve more people into project activities. It is important to raise awareness of forest ecosystems in large cities, where nature can sometimes be overshadowed by urban development. Tbilisi Urban Forest is located just a few minutes from the capital and offers a beautiful view of the city.
By Katie Ruth Davies
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