Protected Area Batsara-Babaneuri: Forests and Rivers

The protected areas of Batsara-Babaneuri are located in eastern Georgia, in Kakheti, at the southern foot of the Main Caucasian Ridge, 150-170 km away. from Tbilisi. These territories consist of several parts, although administratively they are a single object. The total area of the territories exceeds 90 km2.

The first segment of the protected areas includes the middle section of the valley of the Batsara River. There is a forest of relict trees of the tertiary period - berry yew (Taxus baccata), whose area (240 hectares) has no analogues in the world. The trees are several hundred years old, and their crown height exceeds 40 meters. In the forest, Pastukhov's ivy (Hedera pastuchovii) and tall sassaparilla (Smilax excelsa) are widespread in large numbers, which give this forest a unique beauty.

The Babaneuri site is located in the southeastern part of the protected area and includes low mountains, as well as ridge-hilly plains. The forests of the tertiary period with relict trees - Zelkova carpinifolia (Zelkova carpinifolia) are preserved here. The forest area is 750 hectares.

The Ilto site is located in the western part of the protected area and includes the Ilto River valley, where the forests of the eastern beech (Fagus orientalis) are preserved in their original form. Lavrovishnya is common in the undergrowth. Untouched beech forests make an indelible impression on tourists.

The fauna of the protected area is diverse. It is home to several dozen species of mammals and more than fifty species of birds. There are trout in the rivers.

Near the protected areas there are archaeological monuments of the Bronze Age, as well as the medieval Cathedral of Alaverda, the Academy of Ikalto, the monastery complex in Shuamta, the fortress city of Gremi and many other historical and architectural monuments.