Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has announced leadership changes within two key agencies. Besik Amiranashvili, formerly the head of the Agency of Protected Areas, has been appointed as the new head of the National Forestry Agency. Meanwhile, the Protected Areas Agency will now be led by Otar Edisherashvili. The previous head of the Forestry Agency, Kakha Tsertsvadze, has moved from the public sector to business.
Minister Davit Songhulashvili introduced both new leaders to their respective teams, emphasizing their professional background and readiness to lead important reforms. He highlighted Amiranashvili’s extensive public service experience and noted that upcoming reforms will further strengthen the forestry sector. The minister also mentioned that forest rangers’ salaries were doubled in January, which will significantly boost staff motivation.
Besik Amiranashvili is a lawyer by profession with many years of experience in public administration, including serving as State Representative in Samtskhe-Javakheti. Until now, he had been the head of the Agency of Protected Areas. The minister thanked outgoing Forestry Agency head Kakha Tsertsvadze for his contribution to the sector’s development.
Presenting Otar Edisherashvili to the Protected Areas Agency staff, Songhulashvili underlined the importance of protecting Georgia’s unique natural heritage and biodiversity. He noted that Edisherashvili’s leadership background in various sectors would help strengthen the agency and address current and future challenges. The minister expressed confidence that the new chairman would ensure both the protection and sustainable accessibility of Georgia’s protected areas.
