History
The Agency of Protected Areas underwent several stages of development and structural reforms before becoming what it is today.
The Division of Strict Nature Reserves of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia managed Georgia’s protected areas until 1951.
1952 The Division of Hunting Farms Affairs of the Council Ministers of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia was established, which was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Production in 1953 as a result of a merger between the two ministries.
1954 - 1957 The Division of Strict Nature Reserves and Hunting Farms was established, but was still under the jurisdiction of Soviet Socialist Ministry of Agriculture and Production.
1957 - 1965 The Main Division of Forestry Strict Nature Reserves and Hunting Farms operated under the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Socialist Republic. Beginning in 1967 and ending in1975, the Main Division was transferred to the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Socialist Republic for oversight and management.
1975 - 1980 The Division of Strict Nature Reserves and Hunting Farms operated under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry of the Soviet Socialist Republic, which from 1980 to 1992 changed its status and began operating as a Main Division.
1992 - 1997 the unit operated as the Main Division of Strict Nature Reserves and Hunting Farms of the Republic of Georgia.
1997 - 2004 the unit transformed into the State Department of Protected Areas, Strict Nature Reserves and Hunting Farms of Georgia.
2004 State sub-institution of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Georgia – Department of Protected Areas was established.
February 1st, 2008 The LEPL Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia was established and began operations.
