One of the activities to be implemented by WWF-Caucasus Programme Office in Georgia, with the support of Austrian Development Agency (ADA), is supporting the restoration of sub-alpine forests in Ajara Autonomous Republic. Sub-alpine forests are especially vulnerable in Georgia, as they are under pressure from illegal logging and grazing. As a result, they urgently need restoration. The restoration measures envisage promotion of natural regeneration of the degraded forests by means of fencing (to protect from cattle grazing).

WWF-Caucasus will purchase wooden poles and barbed wire, as well as tools and equipment to support fencing and contribution to natural regeneration of the forests within the pilot area (comprising about 100 ha). The fencing and other related activities will be conducted by Forestry Agency of Ajara. The activities will be implemented during the spring and summer of 2015.

During the screening phase, this activity was proposed to be rated as category B (meaning moderate impact, might generate indirect and/or cumulative impacts). Given the presumed nature of the activity, it was assumed that it would fall under the framework of EAMF and PF. The ToR with additional information is attached (in English and Georgian).