On-going National and International Programs
Due to the crisis in the state economy and difficulties of structural reorganisation
state budget (as well as private sector) is unable to finance environmental
programs. At the same time financing of those state institutions that are delegated
to manage protection and rational use of natural resources is extremely limited.
For the establishment of paid nature consumption principle from 1996 there was
introduced tax payment for use of natural resources in Georgia. However, funds
that are raised for the consumption of natural resources, as well as for damage
to the environment go to the central budget, which unfortunately has deficiency.
In 1999 from the state budget there was funded only one project: Program for
Reproduction of Sturgeon Fish.
Program
of Restocking and Natural Spawning Study by Reproducing Sturgeon Fish in the
Black Sea Coastline
Main objectives of funding this Program was to study rehabilitation problems
of rare and endangered sturgeon species, spread in south-east Black Sea cost.
The Atlantic and Kolkhic sturgeons are included in the Georgian Red Book. From
the 1960s production of sturgeon species has interrupted because of sharp reduction
in fish resources.
Implementation of the program has three phases:
1st phase (1998) - restoration of the pond farming and incubation shop;
2nd phase (1999) - farming examination and deliver of young fish in to the river
Rioni;
3rd phase (2000) - construction of principal research base in Poti and conclusion
of farming examination in Geguti.
The program is financed from the state budget. After the implementation it is
expected to restore fish resources of the rear and endangered sturgeon species
by artificial reproducing.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Considering the statement made by the President of Georgia in 1997 in connection
with the campaign "Planet of life WWF-2000", through the efforts of the Georgian
Ministry of Environment (GMoE) and on support of the German government, a grant
was allotted by the German Credit Bank of Reconstruction in 1998 to support
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. The Programme for establishing a national
park involves 3 components:
- Implementation of infrastructure (according to the management plan approved
by the presidential decree of 1998, 3 years);
- Training and ecological education programme (the park personnel training,
local population participation, training of journalists, forest guards and so
on);
- Support zone programme (determination of rehabilitation priority measures
for infrastructure in 5 administrative districts and development of projects,
promotion of development of economy in the region).
Coordinating Council
On the decree of the President of Georgia of May 21, 1998, #211, there was founded
a Co-ordinating Council at the GMoE. The function of the Council is to promote
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park efficient functioning. Chairman of the Council
is the MoE. The Council members are the representatives of relevant services
(at national, regional level) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).
Project for Development of Protected Areas in Georgia
(WB/GEF)
The project is being worked out now. The aim of the project is conservation
of biodiversity in the protected territories of Georgia and promotion to sustainable
use of natural resources. The major components of the project:
1. To conduct measures for planning protected areas;
2. To form priority protected areas in East Georgia;
3. To promote institutional development;
4. Monitoring and scientific research of biodiversity;
5. International co-operation.
With the aim of implementing the programme in view an agreement was signed on
the grant (in 1998) between Georgia and the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development. The project implementation term is 6 years. On the decree of
the President of Georgia of 1999 there was founded the centre for Development
of Protected Areas of Georgia. The Centre functions are as follows: the project
co-ordination, management, guidance and implementation.
Project for Integration Coastal Zone Management of Georgia
(ICZM)
It is being implemented from May 1996. The project implementation term
is supposed to be 6 years. It consists of 5 components. A second component concerns
formation and management of two protected areas: Kolkheti National Park and
Kobuleti State Reserve (GEF grant). Its implementation is provided by the ICZM
(the Centre is founded on the basis of presidential decree of 1999).
Within the project the following measures will be supported: formation of park
infrastructure; environment education; research in planning the land use; biodiversity
monitoring and applied research. At present the ICZM commences selection of
a Georgian consulting company which will prepare a management plan for the protected
areas of Kolkheti. After agreement with different services and evaluation of
influence on the environment, there will start financing of the specific activities.
National Forestry Development Program (WB)
"National Forestry Development Program" is provided to be implemented in parallel
with the Protected Areas Development Project of Georgia (WB/GEF) and its major
objective is maximise the environmental and economic benefits from its forests.
The programme does not determine concrete parameters concerning wood cutting
volume for the near future, but its strategic direction is to assist the government
of Georgia in implementing its plan by 2005 on cutting wood of 1 mln m3 annually.
A 5 year investment programme involves priority activities for transition to
market economy in forestry sphere. The programme involves the following components:
Component A: to form executing group;
Component B: to promote State Forestry Department; Component
C: to reinforce forestry structures; Component D: general assistance in forestry
(involving wood processing sphere) in private sector reinforcing;
Component E: planning of forest management;
Component F: to support forest-planting and forest-restoring;
Component G: a demonstration project for wood cutting by the private sector
and its transportation and rehabilitation and building of state forest roads;
Component H: to advertise non-wood products, hunting and ecotourism.
Project to Support Batumi Regional Centre of the Black
Sea Biodiversity Protection
The project has been underway since 1998 within TACIS Black Sea Environment
Programme (in three countries: Russia, Georgia and Ukraine) to support execution
of the obligations stipulated by the plan of the Black Sea strategic activities.
Within the project there were formed in the Batumi regional centre of the Black
Sea biodiversity protection. 5 working groups: naval, wetlands, public participation,
geographic information systems (GIS) and a group for working out regional strategy
for biodiversity protection. In addition to direct technical assistance there
were held seminars and training courses for the specialists. Certain works have
been done to conduct research biodiversity of marine and wetland ecosystems.
The project term is one year.
© UNEP/GRID-Tbilisi, 2000
1, M. Alexidze St. Tbilisi, 380093, GEORGIA
Phone/Fax: (995-32) 942808
E-mail: grid@gridtb.caucasus.net
Last Updated: 24/02/2000