Project number: PHDF-19-3671

Project title: Geopark planning and its prospects on the example of the Racha region of the Caucasus

Funding organization: Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia   

Start and end dates: 26.09.2019-26.12.2021

Principal investigator: Tamar Chichinadze

Key personnel: Tamar Chichinadze

Project Summary: The research topic concerns the planning of the Racha-Lechkhumi geopark in the Kvemo Svaneti region - specifically in the Racha area. There is not a single category of protected areas in Racha. Geopark is a new category of protected areas, which will be a novelty in Racha, as well as in Georgia and the entire Caucasus. If the geopark is planned, geotourism will develop in the region. In today's developed countries, geopark and geotourism is a new socio-economic strategy for rural development. Today, when the Racha region is experiencing severe depopulation, geotourism will be one of the most important strategies for the development of rural areas in the region. If we develop geotourism in the region, local youth will be employed in the Geopark visitor centers, the production of local ecological products will increase significantly, and a new source of income will emerge in the region.

Achieved results: The concept of a geopark was elaborated. A complex study of the pilot region was carried out, thematic, complex, analytical maps were made, a monograph was published where the prospects of geopark planning in the Racha region were discussed, and 3 articles were published abroad.