Ilto Managed Reserve, protected nature area in Georgia (country)
Ilto Managed Reserve is a protected area in Georgia located in the Kakheti region, encompassing the upper Ilto valley with elevations ranging from 900 to 2000 meters. The terrain consists of thick forests, open meadows, rocky hills, and flowing streams that remain largely undisturbed.
This protected area was established in 2003 to conserve specific tree species and animal populations living in the region. It became part of a larger conservation system that began with the older Batsara Nature Reserve founded in 1935 and expanded to protect the region's biodiversity.
The name Ilto comes from the local language and refers to the valley that defines this area. The reserve shows how the community views nature as something to be shared and protected for everyone who wishes to experience it.
Bring sturdy footwear and wear clothing appropriate for the season, as the paths are natural trails explored on foot. Spring and fall offer the best visiting conditions when weather is milder and wildlife is easier to observe early in the morning.
The reserve borders the Batsara Nature Reserve, where ancient yew forests grow with trees over several hundred years old and represent rare forest types found nowhere else in the world. This proximity creates an exceptional place where visitors can experience ecosystems that remain scattered in just a few locations globally.
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