A third of the 3-hectare pine forest near Bethania Road is in danger of being destroyed.
The CENN research team examined the pine forest on site and conducted a complex field study. Analysis revealed that the damage to the forest was caused by anthropogenic interference and, in particular, the emergence of artificial fire. It is noteworthy that, as a result of damage to 10,200 square meters of forest cover, this tree section is at risk of drying out.
In addition to visual observation, several additional factors make it possible to detect intentional damage to trees. According to satellite data, no heat wave has been recorded near Bethania Road in the last 20 years, which could have been the cause of the fire. Moreover, the motive behind the intentional damage to the forest may be a small land area on which the registration procedures at the National Registry database are recorded.
CENN has issued a recommendation for the protection of the pine forest and risk mitigation and is ready to cooperate with Tbilisi City Hall and its relevant agencies to determine the motive behind the damaged trees in order to begin restoration work.
The field study was conducted by CENN within the framework of the Sustainable Forest Management for Sustainable Rural Development project, with financial support provided by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).