To raise awareness on the environmental issues among the general public representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the agency for protected areas met with the locals of villages under the Racha, Ambrolauri, and Oni municipalities.
According to the available information, the meetings were held in the villages of Ambrolauri municipality: Khonchiori, Nikortsminda, Cheliaghele, Velevi, Khotev, and also in the villages of Oni municipality: Gomi, Jinchvisi.
At the meetings the participants discussed the issues of declaration and demarcation of the national park. Local community representatives received overwhelming answers from competent individuals involved in the process on issues of interest.
Carlo Amirg Head of the Department of Biodiversity and Forestry of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture stated, “We held important meetings with the population of villages under the Racha. We had a constructive conversation during which we discussed the plans for the newly founded Racha National Park ongoing activities and planned projects. We have also discussed with the local community the possibilities of benefiting the population from establishing the protected area.”
It is worth mentioning that the meetings were held in cooperation with the local government representatives in all the villages under their municipalities. Representatives from the Georgian Ministry of Justice, the National Agency of Public Register, the Caucasian Nature Foundation (CNF), the Network of Friends Associations of Protected Areas and the International Consultative Group also supported it.
In the future the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture and the Agency of Protected Areas representatives will hold meetings with interested persons from all communities and villages. Therefore local people will also be involved in public deliberations to make environmental protection policies.
The meetings will also explain the environmental issues in the region regarding the creation and expansion of Racha Protected Areas as well as the opportunities to strengthen the local population’s economic status.
The official representative said that the views and recommendations expressed by residents will be considered in the work processes.
