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Introduction
The ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity by Georgia
on April 1994 was a formal recognition of the new opportunities
offered by the Convention for the conservation and sustainable use of
significantly rich biodiversity, for closer international
co-operation, and for pursuing the integration of biodiversity
objectives within national sectoral policies.
Implementation of the Biodiversity
Convention on the National level as well as other relevant
International Conventions should be ensured by the national
legislation.
Since the Convention was ratified
Biodiversity issues became an important part of National Environmental
Policy. 
Rare and Endangered Species of Georgia
Flora of Georgia is very rich, about 4100 vascular
species with high endemism (400 species endemic for Georgia and 600 for
Caucasus).
The Red Data Book (issued in 1982) contains 161
plant species. However, Red list of plant species should be revised and
fulfilled following to IUCN categories.
There are 30 species of large mammals, which
includes carnivores, ungulates and cetaceans. Until the beginning of present
century these species were widely distributed in Georgia. For the present time
because of increased anthropogenic pressure from 1930s number of large mammals
is significantly reduced.
Basic
Data on Biodiversity of Georgia
Georgia is
a mountainous country, covering 70,000 Km2 with a
population of 5,5 million people and is situated between the south
slope of the Caucasus Mountains, the east coast of the Black Sea and
the northern edge of the Turkish Anatolia plain. Forests cover 40% of
the country (2,8 million ha). The varied terrain and climatic
conditions contribute to diversity of ecosystems and species. The
principal landscapes of the Caucasus include foothill and mountain
forests and sub alpine meadows of Greater and Lesser Caucasus, humid
lowland forests of Western Georgia, and the arid steppe and deserts of
eastern Georgia.
National Laws, International Conventions and
Agreements According to article 37 of the
Constitution of Georgia: “Each person has a right to live in healthy
environment.. (para3) and for present and future generations State is
responsible to ensure environmental protection and Sustainable use of
Natural resources”
Georgia has ratified several of Environmental
Conventions , which have an advantages to National legislation by the
Constitution.
At the same time Georgia has an agreements in
the field of Environmental Protection with different Countries:
For the implementation of the above mentioned
provisions of the Constitution, International Conventions and Agreements
Parliament of Georgia in 1996 has adopted “Law on Environmental Protection”
which is the bases for the preparation of different Environmental Laws and
Regulations.
Within years of 1995-99 Georgia’s Parliament
has adopted 22 environmental laws and regulations.
Monitoring
There is a dense hydro meteorological monitoring system which covers all surface
waters in Georgia operated by Hydro meteorological Department. Now this
Department is part of the Ministry of Environment.
Because of financial and economical
difficulties the data of surface water monitoring is very poor
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