Parliament has adopted amendments to the Law on the Establishment and Management of the Kolkheti Protected Areas, creating a new strict nature reserve in western Georgia.
The legislative changes were approved under an expedited procedure in the third reading with 74 votes.
Deputy Environment and Agriculture Minister Zurab Ezugbaia presented the government initiative at the plenary session.
The amendments envisage the creation of the Rioni Strict Nature Reserve in Samtredia Municipality to support the reproduction and protection of sturgeon species.
The protected area will cover 554 hectares and includes the section of the Rioni River where sturgeon spawning takes place.
