Tbilisi National Botanical Garden temporarily closed after snowfall causes extensive damage

The National Botanical Garden of Georgia has been temporarily closed to visitors following significant damage caused by heavy snowfall.

The administration said on Wednesday the decision was taken as a preventive measure to ensure maximum safety.

Officials said that the thick snow cover resulted in one of the most extensive instances of damage in the garden’s long history. The severe snowfall has had a substantial impact on both its unique plant collections and key exhibits.

Several distinguished specimens of rare woody plants have been damaged, posing a serious challenge to the garden’s ecosystem. Specialists said the current situation required particular attention and a prolonged restoration process.

At this stage, the garden’s administration and relevant services have been fully mobilized and are operating under an emergency mode. 

Work is underway to clear damaged areas, assess risks, and implement additional preventive measures to ensure safe movement for visitors once the site reopens. Given the scale of the damage, multiple specialized departments within the garden are involved in the recovery effort.

Experts are conducting a phased assessment of the losses and preparing a detailed restoration plan.