Forest Code of Georgia (No. 5949-SS of 2020) Country/Territory Georgia Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source 390000000.05.001.019838 Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Environment gen., Fisheries, Forestry, Land & soil, Mineral resources, Water, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Agro-forestry Apiculture/sericulture Farming Agricultural development Hazards Erosion Early warning system Aquaculture Inland fisheries Fishery management and conservation Fishing area Protected fishing area Alien species Framework law Basic legislation Forest management/forest conservation Forest service/forest officers Forest species Forestry protection measures Policy/planning Inventory Community management Timber Timber extraction/logging Non-timber products Plant protection Access right Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Afforestation/reforestation Authorization/permit Biodiversity Classification/declassification Data collection/reporting Ecosystem preservation Education Enforcement/compliance Environmental planning Environmental standards Governance Offences/penalties Private forest Procedural matters Processing/handling Protection forest Protection of environment Protection of species Recreational forest Research Right of use Risk assessment/management Survey/mapping Sustainable development Sustainable use Use restrictions Zoning Public forest Mountain area Standards Ownership Public land Private land Local government Soil conservation/soil improvement Soil pollution/quality Soil rehabilitation Pastoralism Smallholders/peasants Grazing Animal reproduction Ranching/captive breeding Animal production Minerals Mining Exploration Surface water Water conservation zone Water supply Thermal and medicinal waters Sewerage Hydropower generation Groundwater Water abstraction Cultural heritage Wild fauna Wild flora Endangered species Hunting/capture Hunting rights Management/conservation Geographical area Asia, Black Sea, Eastern Europe, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Western Asia Entry into force notes Most of the Code enters into force on 1 January 2021. Abstract This Code regulates legal relations related to forest management. It consists of 23 chapters: General provisions (I); Powers in the Field of Forest Policy, and the Management and Supervision of the Forest of Georgia (II); Registration and Planning of the Forest of Georgia (III); Common Forest Use (IV); Special Forest Use (V); Timber Harvesting through Commercial Felling (VI); Harvesting of Non-wood Forest Products, Wood Products and Secondary Wood Materials (VII); Establishment of a Plantation Forest (VIII); Forest Use for Agricultural Purposes (IX); Forest Use for Resort, Recreational, Sports and Other Cultural and Health Enhancing Purposes (X); Establishment of a Fishing Farm and/or a Hunting Area (XI); Establishment of Animal Shelters and Breeding sites (XII); Construction of Line Structures of Electronic Communications Networks (XIII); Forest Use for Scientific Research and Educational Purposes (XIV); Special Forest Use for Particular Purposes (XV); Protection of the Forest of Georgia (XVI); Reforestation and Afforestation (XVII); Forest Tending (XVIII); Appropriate Academic and Vocational Education in the Field of Forestry (XIX); Social Protection Guarantees for Foresters and Forestry Specialists (XX); Liability for the Violation of the Code (XXI); Transitional Provisions (XXI); and Final Provisions (XXIII). The purposes of this Code are to conserve the biodiversity of the forest of Georgia, and, in order for the environmental, social and economic functions of forest to be performed, to preserve and improve its qualitative properties, and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forest resources; to preserve the original natural and cultural environment of forest, including the vegetation cover and animal world, and natural and cultural property located in forest, and rare and endangered plant species and other assets for future generations and to ensure the harmonised regulation of their interrelation; to ensure targeted and rational use of forest resources and other natural potential of forest; and to determine the main principles of forest management which shall become the basis for sustainable forest management. Full text English/Georgian Website matsne.gov.ge References - Legislation Repeals Law of Georgia on Management of Forest Fund (No. 3345-RS of 2010) Legislation | Georgia | 2010 (2017) Keyword: Institution, Public forest, Forest management/forest conservation, Afforestation/reforestation, Timber, Timber extraction/logging, Monitoring, Offences/penalties, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Hazards, Zoning, Liability/compensation, Biodiversity, Management/conservation, Hunting/capture, Hunting authorization/permit, Wild fauna Source: FAO, FAOLEX Forest Code of Georgia (No. 2124-IIS of 1999) Legislation | Georgia | 1999 (2018) Keyword: Framework law, Basic legislation, Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Policy/planning, Timber extraction/logging, Protection forest, Protected area, Afforestation/reforestation, Right of use, Contract/agreement, Forest service/forest officers, Monitoring, Offences/penalties, Sustainable use, Cultural heritage, Biodiversity, Ecosystem preservation, Water conservation zone, Wild fauna, Wild flora, Endangered species, Protection of environment, Protection of habitats, Protection of species, Tourism Source: FAO, FAOLEX Implemented by Resolution No. 231 of 2022 of Georgian Government on Charter for Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Georgian Forests Legislation | Georgia | 2022 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Data collection/reporting, Sustainable development Source: FAO, FAOLEX Resolution No. 427 of 2021 of Georgian Government on Charter for System of Inventorying, Categorization and Monitoring of Forests Legislation | Georgia | 2021 (2021) Keyword: Classification/declassification, Climate change, Data collection/reporting, Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes, Ecosystem preservation, Education, Forest fires, Forest management/forest conservation, Forest species, Forestry protection measures, Inventory, Timber extraction/logging, Monitoring, Policy/planning, Private forest, Public forest, Research, Sustainable development, Sustainable use, Fuelwood, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Freshwater resources management, Biodiversity, Protection of environment, Protection of habitats, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX Resolution No. 496 of 2021 of Georgian Government on Charter on Granting the Status of Forest and Determining and Correcting/Changing Forest Borders Legislation | Georgia | 2021 Keyword: Classification/declassification, Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Public forest, Registration Source: FAO, FAOLEX Order No. 2-553 of 2023 of Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia on Rules for Import, Export and Production of Forest Reproductive Materials Legislation | Georgia | 2023 Keyword: Afforestation/reforestation, Certification, Forest management/forest conservation, Forest species, Forestry protection measures, Genetic resources, Internal trade, International trade, Inventory, Planting material/seeds, Timber, Zoning Source: FAO, FAOLEX Resolution No. 383 of 2021 of Georgian Government on Forest Protection, Restoration, and Maintenance Charter Legislation | Georgia | 2021 Keyword: Afforestation/reforestation, Forest fires, Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Offences/penalties, Pests/diseases, Plant protection Source: FAO, FAOLEX Order No. 2-67 of 2023 of Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia on Commission Determining the Status of Forests Legislation | Georgia | 2023 Keyword: Forest management/forest conservation, Forest service/forest officers, Forest species, Forestry protection measures, Governance, Institution, Local government, Ownership, Private forest, Private land, Procedural matters, Public forest Source: FAO, FAOLEX Order No. 2-66 of 2023 of Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia on Declaring “Forester’s Professional Day” and Promotion of Persons Working in Field of Forestry Legislation | Georgia | 2023 Keyword: Forest service/forest officers, Governance, Procedural matters, Subsidy/incentive Source: FAO, FAOLEX