Locations
Enhancing the Management Effectiveness of the Machakhela Protected Landscape
Overview
Home to rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, the Machakhela Protected Landscape was established in September 2022 to safeguard ecosystems and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
Spanning 4,294 hectares of state-owned forest, including the Machakheli River and nine surrounding settlements, the Landscape plays a key role in conservation efforts and the sustainable development of local communities.
With funding from the Czech Government, UNDP partners with the Machakhela Protected Landscape Administration and Khelvachauri Municipality to strengthen planning and management capacities. This includes developing strategic and operational plans and building the skills needed to implement them effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.
The initiative builds on UNDP’s earlier work to enhance the management of Ajara’s protected areas, supported through the Czech-UNDP Partnership for the SDGs (2019–2021).
What We Do
The project aligns with the following long-term objectives:
- Empower the Machakhela Protected Area Administration with the essential technical expertise and capabilities for the effective management of the protected landscape.
- Implement a functional urban and spatial planning system to preserve traditional and historic settlements within the protected area, enabling their development in harmony with traditional architecture and usage.
Results by April 2025
- A Protected Landscape Management Plan was developed and handed over to the Khelvachauri Municipality.
- Architectural planning and settlement development recommendations for the valley were shared with the Municipality.
- Biodiversity monitoring capacity was upgraded with new camera traps, SMART patrolling tools, and computers.
- The administrative team visited three protected areas in Kakheti to learn from their operational practices.
Contact information
Contact persons
Irakli Goradze
Project Manager
irakli.goradze@undp.org
Nino Antadze
UNDP Environment and Energy Team Leader
nino.antadze@undp.org
Project details
| Status | Completed |
| Start date | December 2023 |
| End date | March 2025 |
| Focus area | Environment & Energy |
| Partners | Machakhela Protected Landscape Administration. Khelvachauri Mayor’s Office |
| Donor | Government of Czech Republic |
| Budget | EUR€ 100,000 |
