The Head of the National Forestry Agency, Kakha Tsertsvadze, got acquainted with the sanitary condition of the boxwood groves at the Nakerala pass.

The boxwood grove of natural origin in the Nakerala pass was selected as a conservation area in 2019 due to the high risks of boxwood disease and pest spread in the country. Intensive pest control measures were implemented on the territory of up to 12 ha to preserve the species.

"Based on field studies carried out last year in the Nakerala pass established reduced to a minimum number of Alura boxwood, and does not require treatment with chemical means at this stage. The territory remains under the supervision of specialists to monitor harmful insects and pheromone insect traps placed. Based on the received data, we will implement appropriate measures," said the Head of the National Forestry Agency, Kakha Tsertsvadze.

The National Forestry Agency has been implementing measures to fight against the invasive pest, boxwood alura, in the territory of the state forest following the "National Action Plan for the Rescue of Kolkhuri Boxwood" since 2016.

These measures included the usage of pheromone and Colchis boxwood damaged groves treatment with biological insecticides in three regions of Georgia: Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and Racha-Lechkhum-Kvemo Svaneti. In total, 550 hectares of territory treated.