Meeting at the World Bank Georgia Office

On February 11, 2014, the meeting was held at the World Bank Georgia Office, which was attended by Rati Japaridze - the Chairman of the Agency of Protected Areas, Ahmed R. Eiweida - Task Team Leader for the Regional Development Project and Giga Gvelesiani – the representative of Municipal Development Fund. During the meeting several issues related to APA infrastructural projects development and the possibilities of financial support of the mentioned project by the World Bank were discussed. Rati Japaridze named a number of projects which, at the current stage, represent the priority tasks for the Agency in terms of collaboration with the World Bank. This priority list consists of the development of proper visitor infrastructure at Gochkadili Canyon Nature Monument and adjacent territories (Samegrelo Region) and infrastructural development of Satsurblia and Navenakhevi Caves (Imereti Region).

It should be noted that Gochkadili Canyon Nature Monument received a status of protected area only in December last year, as a result of which the object was placed under the authority of the Agency and the necessity of constructing some appropriate infrastructure near and around the monument became an issue. Thousands of tourists are visiting the Canyon each year and therefore, using of sustainable tourism principles in respect to this place should unconditionally be expected.

At presen,t it is possible to establish the infrastructure at Satsurblia and Navenakhevi Cevs under the frame of the Imereti Regional Development Project carried out by financial support of the World Bank. One of the important tasks is to develop Satsurblia Cave - extremely popular medical tourism destination placs during the Soviet era, due to the local air quality rich in ions together with the composition of some chemical substances; this mixture makes the cave a perfect place for Speleotherapy (one of the methods of treatments of bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases). Currently the research is being carried out at Satsurblia to determine whether the cave still has the same curing abilities and by the end of February the results will officially be known.    

All of those three monuments are of a special importance and in all cases, the development of necessary infrastructure will be beneficial for the Agency of Protected Areas, as well as for the development of sustainable tourism in the region and the generating of additional incomes for the local population. The decision to financially support the mentioned objects by the World Bank and the Municipal Development Fund will be made in nearest future, which, on the other hand is based on the appropriate preoperational works.