Enhancing Sustainable Management of Ajara Protected Areas

Expansion and effective management of the Mtirala and Machakhela national parks, and Kintrishi protected areas

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Summary

Three protected areas in Georgia’s Ajara Autonomous Republic (Mtirala, Kintrishi, Machakhela) and the Jamili Biosphere Reserve in Turkey together form a chain of national parks established to conserve unique Colchis forests and create exceptional opportunities for environmental tourism.

UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are promoting cooperation between the Ajara protected areas and Jamili Biosphere Reserve. Our assistance is focused on the sustainable management of the Ajara protected areas and local economic growth that benefits residents of the villages located in a support zone of the Machakhela National Park.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Georgia’s national Agency for Protected Areas, local authorities, businesses and communities.

Activities

  • Improve financial and administrative planning and management of the Protected Areas.
  • Introduce adaptable and participatory approaches into the management
  • Engage local population into decision-making.
  • Create new employment and business opprotunities for the local population.
  • Enhance operation of the recently established Machakela National Park.

Expected results

  • Efficient management of the Protected Areas in the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.
  • Expansion and increased connectivity of the protected areas in the West Lesser Caucasus.

Contact information

Project address

52 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street
Batumi, Georgia

Contact persons

Irakli Goradze
Project Manager
Irakli.goradze@undp.org

Nino Antadze
UNDP Environment & Energy Team Leader
nino.antadze@undp.org

Photos

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP