WECF member in Georgia takes action to save forest

please add your voice, write to the Georgian president, see open letter

06.06.2006 |Sascha Gabizon

President of Georgia
Att. Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili
Georgian Government

Fax: +995(32)99-92-00
E-mail: pr@president.gov.ge; alana@president.gov.ge

Long-term Leasing of the State Forest Resources

Dear Mr. President

We would like to express our deep concerns regarding the issue of long-term leasing of State forest resources in Georgia. As we were informed the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia despite the public protest will bring the issue of the long-term leasing of the State forests for consideration at the nearest Government Session of Georgia.

We are aware of the fact that the Greens Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth Georgia has several times organized the public debates about this issue and the public and stakeholders have already developed their position statement on this issue that strongly disagrees with the main principles of the reform developed by the Ministry without stakeholder consultation. The reform intends introduction of long term leasing of State forest without intersectional approach, feasibility study and economical analysis of consequences.

Although the public is convinced that reforms are essential in the forestry sector, we think it is inadmissible to start reform in the sector until the National Forest Policy and Strategy are developed in the participatory manner and agreed with all stakeholders. These documents should serve as starting-point for the development of environmentally and economically feasible form of reform. The above mentioned document is still in the process of development.

Therefore, we appeal to you to halt the consideration of this issue until the National Forest Policy and Strategy are developed and approved by all stakeholders.

Yours sincerely,

Green Movement Georgia