The Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee considered and supported, at I reading, the draft law “On the Special Protection of Green Plantations and State Forests within and Adjacent to the Territory of the City of Tbilisi”.

The legislative initiative, introduced by Members of Parliament, was presented at the committee meeting by one of its authors, Committee Chair Maia Bitadze.

The draft law clarifies the conditions under which the felling of green plantations is permissible when a construction permit has been issued.

According to the draft, the methodology for calculating the existing 25% restriction related to the removal of green plantations during the construction permitting process is refined. This includes a clear definition of the categories of plantations subject to the restriction, as well as the exclusion of those plantations which, considering their biological characteristics and ecological value, should not be included in the calculation.

The draft law also provides for the possibility of the Tbilisi Municipal Assembly establishing special conditions for the cutting down or transplantation of green plantations in order to facilitate the completion of unfinished construction projects and the completion or replacement of unsafe residential buildings.