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Otar Shamugia: Biosphere Reserve will allow us to protect and preserve the unique, natural wealth of Georgia and at the same time enables us to use it for socio-economic development of our country, for the benefits of our population
The first biosphere reserve in the South Caucasus region will be established in Georgia. The relevant documents have already been prepared. On behalf of the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture submitted supporting documentation to the UNESCO/MAB Secretariat for the nomination of Biosphere Reserve.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Mr. Carl Hartzell, and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia attended the closing ceremony of the project "Establishment of a Biosphere Reserve in Kakheti Region, as a Model for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth ", which was held in Dedoplistskaro Municipality.
"I would like to emphasize, that Georgia will be the first country in the region to establish two biosphere reserves at the same time (three Alazani Biosphere Reserve in Tusheti and Dedoplistskaro Biosphere Reserve in Dedoplistskaro Municipality), which will be recognized by UNESCO.
The experience of many European countries shows, that proper management of biosphere reserves enables local residents to get special benefits. The demand for agricultural products produced in ecologically clean environment is growing in the world. Moreover, existence of reserves is an important prerequisite for the development of ecotourism "- said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture expressed his gratitude to the European Union, the Government of Germany, the Mikheil Zukov Foundation and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) for their support, noting, that the Biosphere Reserve will enable us to protect and preserve Georgia's unique natural resources and at the same time permits us to use it for socio-economic development of our country and for the benefits of our population.
"I think this is a historic day, as far as, the application has already been submitted to UNESCO to gain the Biosphere Reserve status, which resulted from the joint work of the Ministry, the Municipality and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus) over the last several years and the moment is approaching, when it is time to take the next step. It can be said, that this is the first biosphere reserve not only in Georgia, but in the Caucasus region as well. We see, that this is a real role model for what economic development should be like –vital to those residents, who get benefits from the environment without harming the environment." said Carl Hartzell.
The biosphere reserve is a model region, that contributes to sustainable regional development and conservation of biodiversity, moreover, it plays an important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The biosphere reserve is an instrument for introduction of unified practices for conservation of nature and sustainable land use.
The EU-funded project “Establishment of Biosphere Reserve in Kakheti Region as a Model for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” has been implemented by Dedoplistskaro Municipality and the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC), with the coordination of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The project aims to improve the socio-economic conditions for local population in Kakheti region by establishing a biosphere reserve in Vashlovani, as a demonstration model for inclusive and sustainable growth.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the European Union, local self-government of Kakheti region and Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (RECC).