On the southern border of Zemo Bodbe - at the junction of the Bodbe - Dedoplistskaro and Kvemo Bodbe roads, a "protected forest" has been established, covering 23 hectares. Broad-leaved and coniferous trees and plants grow here. In addition to naturally grown plants, artificially bred tree and plant species were planted here during the Soviet period. The protected forest is characterized by a specific climate and resting here is beneficial for people with lung and kidney diseases.

At the main entrance to the protected forest there was a spring named after Paata. Paata Baghashvili was an implacable enemy of the Leki and at the same time, he fought for the social freedom of Kiziki. In this matter, he did not yield to either the janitor, the bishop, or King Erekle. He was ruthless in the class struggle. The adventure of the “Protected Forest” will serve as an illustration of this. Perhaps many do not know - it was given such a name because Paata Bagashvili protected it from the encroachment of the prince: in 1766, on the advice of Catholicos Anton I, Erekle II invited from Russia an artillery specialist - Paata Mzechabuki Andronikashvili, a graduate of the Moscow Artillery School, the son of the owner of the village of Pkhoveli. The king appointed him the head of the Kakheti artillery, i.e. the artillery commander. Erekle II instructed Andronikashvili to find a suitable place in Kiziki and build a watchtower. Such towers were built at that time near springs, at the junction of trade routes. Fragments of one of such towers still survive in Telavi, in front of the royal palace. Andronikashvili built a watchtower in the village of He laid hands on the Bodbe. He chose a high place near the famous oaks and began to bring in building materials. He had the gunners, i.e. artillerymen, and serfs brought from Pkhovi, bring stones and sand in carts; he had the mortar installed. The Kiziki people did not like the prince's activities on their land. Soon, Paata Bagashvili returned from the campaign. He ransacked the villages, rounded up the population, and dispersed Andronikashvili's people. The enraged Bodbe also attacked the prince. A royal investigation was appointed, which found Paata Bagashvili to be the instigator of the people. The construction of the Sazarbazane Burji meant arming Kiziki with artillery. Erekle II intended to make this militarized area more organized. This was beneficial for state interests, but in feudal relations, the maintenance of artillery and artillerymen would lead to Taxing Kiziki - Erekle II's treasury was empty. Erekle could not allocate money to maintain a regular army. He could not maintain a fortress garrison either. That is why several villages were sometimes assigned to the Sargod. If Andronikashvili managed to house artillery in Kiziki, it would have to be tied to the yoke of exploitation. The people of Kiziki did not want this. Paata Bagashvili perfectly understood what threatened his free side. And to the west (on the side of Nukrianiskalo) and north (on the side of Machkhaani - Tibaani) large forests have been planted, where the following types of trees grow: oak, beech, hornbeam, ash, lime, pine, tkemali, shindi, etc. Wild animals live in these forests: wolf, jackal, fox, beaver, Roe deer, hare, squirrel and birds: wood grouse, thrush, hawk, etc. It is noteworthy that in 1970-72, the head of the Kakheti archaeological expeditions, Professor Kiazo Pitskhelauri, as a result of excavations in this territory, discovered tombs dated to the 15th century BC. II century - 14th century. I century. In addition to historical significance, the “protected forest” also has a traditional meaning. In Georgia, protected forests were called sacred forests, which performed both religious and ecological functions. It was not possible to cut down wood here or use it for household purposes. Despite the enemy’s attacks and merciless deforestation, numerous forest groves were preserved in our country.