A new entity, the “forest guard,” is being introduced in Georgia’s state forests and will be responsible for the physical protection of specifically assigned forest areas.

This initiative is envisaged by planned amendments to the Forest Code. The amendments introduce a new term — “physical forest protection.” The function of physical forest protection will be added to the responsibilities of the National Forestry Agency of Georgia. This will include physical forest protection, as well as the prevention, detection, and suppression of administrative violations.

The issue was prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, and the initiative has already been submitted to Parliament for consideration.

According to the ministry, illegal logging remains one of the main challenges today. The ministry states that preventing illegal logging directly within forest areas is of particular importance, requiring effective physical protection measures, appropriate human and technical resources, designated persons responsible for specific territories, and both planned and unplanned monitoring.

“At present, the National Forestry Agency of Georgia does not have the function of physical forest protection. The position of ‘forest guard’ formally does not exist. Specialists are not assigned responsibility for protecting specific territories, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of control mechanisms,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture states in the explanatory note attached to the draft law submitted to Parliament.

According to the ministry, after the adoption of the draft law, the National Forestry Agency will need to add 499 employees, including:

4 district heads with a monthly salary of 3,200 GEL;94 foresters with a monthly salary of 2,880 GEL;401 forest guards with a monthly salary of 2,080 GEL.

“The National Forestry Agency of Georgia is being granted the function of physical forest protection, and the number of employees will increase by 499 positions. In total, approximately 28.8 million GEL will be required in 2026, including:

6 months’ salaries for 499 employees — 6,705,000 GEL;equipment and technology (950 body cameras, 150 camera traps, 1,200 tablets, portable radio transmission stations for 9 regions, 1,200 radios, SMART patrol software, 54 pickup vehicles, and 2 excavators) — 16,490,000 GEL;construction and rehabilitation of forest roads — 4,795,000 GEL;health insurance — 110,000 GEL;uniforms and footwear — 500,000 GEL;vehicle fuel — 200,000 GEL;and vehicle insurance costs, which will depend on procurement (tender) results,” the explanatory note to the draft law states.