The Guria region in western Georgia is set to become home to a new national park, which aims to conserve the area’s rich biodiversity and natural resources.
The draft law on creating the Guria National Park was presented to the public in a meeting attended by local authorities, residents, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
After research and preparatory work in Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti municipalities, the final boundaries of Guria National Park have been marked.
Creating a new protected area in Guria is carried out on the initiative of the party administration and Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti municipalities.
The project is supported by the Agency of Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Tbilisi Office, and the Embassy of Sweden.
According to the WWF, the mountainous landscapes of Guria are recognized as major areas of ecoregion biodiversity and are part of the Caucasus Ecoregion Conservation Plan.
The region hosts a variety of endemic and rare plant and animal species, some of which are protected by the CITES Convention. The area also has a high potential for tourism development, especially ecotourism.
The creation of the Guria National Park will help protect and preserve the unique ecosystems and natural resources of the region while promoting the sustainable development and well-being of the local and non-local communities.
The park will also increase the awareness and appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of Guria, one of Georgia’s most ethnically homogenous and historically significant regions.
The project is currently in the research and preparatory phase, which involves various types of studies by local and international experts. The final boundaries of the park have been marked, and the draft law is expected to be submitted to the parliament for approval. The park will be the first in Guria and the 17th in Georgia.
