Inga Gvasalia, Samegrelo
The trees have been actively cut down in Zugdidi for the last several weeks. It caused serious protest of the society and political parties.
In the 17th century Prince of Samegrelo Region Levan Dadiani planted many rare trees in Zugdidi. Later, Queen of Samegrelo region Ekaterine Chavchavadze (19th century) decorated her garden in Zugdidi with plants from France; Zugdidi residents are still proud of the garden. Today, the garden is in danger – several tens of hundred-year-old trees were cut down several days ago based on the order of the district administration. They planted expensive trees which were imported from abroad.
Zugdidi district office of the Conservative Party opposes the initiative of the district administration. Leader of the local organization Koba Vazganava said that the authority intends to destroy the garden of Dadiani’s family and to build a hotel in the area.
“Cutting down the trees is vandalism. They have been decorating the town for many years. They have brought small bushes from abroad and plant them instead those trees. The budget funds are spent on those bushes while thousand sorts of trees grow in our country. I wonder why the authority is eager to purchase plants abroad. The point is that the authority wants to cut down trees here in order to pay 500 USD for each plant abroad. Maybe, somebody benefits from it. I want to tell one more interesting news. Reportedly, they plan to cut down trees in Botanic Garden; they want to build a hotel there. Zugdidi residents should not allow them to do it,” said Koba Vazganava.
A leader of the public movement “Protect Georgia” Kakha Mikaia started hunger strike in the hammock hanging on the two tallest trees in the center of town. He protests the decision of the district administration about cutting down trees in the boulevard. Before that, Mikaia and his colleagues held protest demonstration in front of the district administration building and demanded the authority to stop cutting down of trees in the town.
Resident of Zugdidi Marina Badzagua said: “The district administration wants to leave the residents without air. They have pulled out tall trees; they were neither dry nor dangerous for anybody. They have brought bay-trees from Italy and
Germany and plant them in the town. Of course I am against their activities but if they have to cut old trees, why are they bringing the plants from abroad? Do not we have them in Georgia?
Officials of Zugdidi district administration do not comment on the fact. Director of the partners company of the district administration “Kolkhi Landscape, Ltd” Besik Chitanava said the trees were cut down to avoid further danger. The state budget pays from 32 to 350 Euro for each plant which is imported from Italy. “The old trees damaged the motor-way and pavement. During the strong wind several months ago one tree broke down and killed a person. They say we buy bay-trees abroad. No, it is not bay tree. It is ever-green oak tree and we brought them from a nursery-garden in Italy. One plant of the ever-green oak-tree costs 350 Euro; bushes cost 32 Euro; but pine-tree costs 45 Euro. 191 000 GEL is allocated for the decoration of the town in the Zugdidi district budget every year; the state budget allocates 197 000 GEL for the purpose. I am sure that in 100 years the trees I have planted will not create problems for anybody.”
Ordinary people protested the decision of the district administration in the town-center. If the public request is not satisfied, Zugdidi residents threaten with protest rallies.
“I join the request of the “Protect Georgia”. If one more tree is cut down, I will not forgive it to corresponding service department for planting the greenery. They have replaced ancient trees with shameful plants. I call upon every Zugdidi resident to oppose this action. Alika Kobalia – Zugdidi district governor – cannot be completely healthy person. How could a clever person make similar decision?!” said Dali Lataria. Journalist Klara Abramia continued complaining after her. “These trees were lungs for Zugdidi. If the government dares to cut down the boulevard, people should rebel. Local authority is weak and incompetent and obeys the stupid orders of the central government.”
Besik Chitanava does not find the accusations of the “Protect Georgia” serious. “You should not believe every rumor! Nobody is going to cut down the boulevard. The boulevard and Botanic Garden are very important places for local people. If we cut down these areas, we will not leave anything in the town then. We have already finished our activities. Department of public services and amenities cut down damaged trees and we have planted new Italian plants instead them. That was all.
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