GFA implements protected areas program in Georgia
On 2 April 2014, the Georgian Agency for Protected Areas (APA) and GFA Consulting Group signed the implementation contract for the KfW-funded Support Programme for Protected Areas in the Caucasus in Tbilisi. GFA, in partnership with Elkana and Bird Conservation Georgia, two local NGOs, will implement the 8.2 million Euro program over the next five years.
The program seeks to improve the management of four protected areas in the Greater Caucasus mountain ridge: Kazbegi National Park and the planned Pshav-Khevsureti Protected Area, Kintrishi Protected Area in Adjara and the Algeti National Park close to the capital Tbilisi. The program will support the protected areas in terms of developing management and business plans, training staff, and improving the physical infrastructure. For example, visitor centers and administration offices will be built and various facilities for ecotourism development such as hiking trails are planned. Moreover, ecological baseline studies will be carried out and a bio-monitoring system is to be set up in order to provide APA with up-to-date scientific data. The latter is essential for the sustainable management of protected areas.
Other than investments in the protected areas themselves, socio-economic development measures in adjacent communities form an integral part of the program. Twenty-five per cent of the available budget is earmarked to finance community development measures and support families and individuals in realizing sustainable income generating opportunities. Moreover, adjacent communities will play a key role in regional advisory councils which co-decide on land use planning within and outside of protected areas.
As a result, the program will contribute to protect the natural resource base and biodiversity of outstanding ecosystems in Georgia while improving the socio-economic situation of adjacent rural communities.
>> Link to a bulletin provided by the Georgian government
>> Link to a related interview with Daniel Wahby,department head of GFA
