Revitalizing the ecosystem and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources in the Iori River Valley

AUGUST 6 - 12, 2021 SOCIETY

9 SABUKO: Revitalizing the Ecosystem & Ensuring Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in the Iori River Valley

BY ANA DUMBADZE

Considering the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources, the role and contribution of organizations that work tirelessly in this direction becomes even more valuable.

One such organization operating locally, known for its dedicated work promoting conservation of wildlife in Georgia and encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources, is SABUKO, the Society for Nature Conservation and Birdlife Partner in Georgia. SABUKO aims to protect wild birds and their habitats, and to raise awareness about the value of nature and the importance of protecting it.

To prevent the confl ict between humans and nature, SABUKO has chosen a way of cooperation and works with local communities, fi nding the best results come through direct contact and joint efforts.

One of the most distinguished and important projects being implemented by SABUKO is ‘Restoring Gallery Forest and Grasslands in the Iori River Valley.’

The Iori River, and the gallery forest which stretches along the valley, are integral parts of south-east Georgia’s steppe ecosystem. The gallery forest which runs along the Iori riverbed acts as a wildlife corridor, providing breeding sites and core habitat for many species. Yet, the steppe areas have been subjected to overstocking with livestock, causing overgrazing, erosion, and competition with native herbivores. Despite this degradation, the landscape is relatively intact, and connectivity to other areas in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot offers an opportunity for restoration.

The landscape restoration project launched by SABUKO aims to revitalize this steppe-riverine ecosystem while enabling local pastoralists to manage land sustainably in the long-term.

The project has been implemented since January 1, 2019 with the support of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in cooperation with SABUKO, Birdlife International and Protected Areas under the Endangered Landscapes Program.

There is also the biodiversity of Chachuna Managed Reserve, which has faced a severe problem of degradation due to unregulated grazing. Despite this degradation, the landscape is relatively intact, and there is an opportunity for restoration, which is currently being used by SABUKO and its partner organizations.

The project aims to promote and conserve the restoration of forests and surrounding areas of the Iori River fl oodplain through the introduction of rotational grazing, improving the living standards of the locals. Importantly, SABUKO aims to achieve all this through working in partnership with local shepherds. The organization not only gives them recommendations on how to preserve natural resources on the spot, but also helps them in various directions, shares knowledge and experience with locals and does its best to improve their living conditions. In particular, the following activities were carried out on the ground:

STUDY OF THE IORI FLOODPLAINS

SABUKO, in collaboration with Ilia State University, assessed the condition and health of the Iori River fl oodplain forest.

The aim of the study was to describe and assess the condition of the Iori River fl oodplain forests, to determine their natural boundaries, to compare them with the present boundaries, and to determine the reasons for the changes. Also, to fi nd out whether the Dali Reservoir specifi cally reduced the area of floodplain forests in the Chachuna Reserve, whether it had an impact on the changes in the fl oristic composition on the ground, etc.

In addition, a hydrological report of the Iori River and fl ood modeling was developed. The forest assessment concludes that the upper and lower part of the reservoir differ from each other in fl oristic composition: the lower part of the reservoir are less characterized by fl oodplain forest species than the upper part due to the reservoir and hydrological regime. A written and oral agreement with the relevant authorities on the periodic release of the Dali Reservoir has already been reached. In addition, the recommendations made in the report are refl ected in the EU Water Initiative Plus under the Alazani-Iori River Basin Management Plan.

The research area (2232.9 ha) covers the Iori River and Chachuna Managed Reserve gallery forests and adjacent areas. These gallery forests are located in Kakheti, near the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan, in south-east Georgia. Grazing is the biggest challenge for such Tugay type gallery forests. The Dali Reservoir has transformed the ecosystem since the 1980s, though the impact needs a more thorough study.

The study results show that the forest cover (area covered with trees and bushes) has generally reduced in the research area, yet there is a tendency of growth over the last decade. Chachuna’s forest cover increased over the last two decades, although it is still less than in 1978. This may mean that the Dali reservoir has not had a direct and signifi cant impact in terms of forest areas over the past 30-year cycle, as it was put into operation in 1992 (Benjankar et, all., 2016). In terms of fl oristic composition, there are quite big differences in the upper and lower parts of the reservoir. It may depend upon fl ooding regime and intensity, which would have been changed once the Dali reservoir became operational.

Further research in this direction is required, SABUKO says, ideally on grazing intensity and quality in both parts of the reservoir in the gallery forests, as grazing has a direct impact on the change of fl oristic composition.

“This will enable us to exclude grazing as a factor and to observe the direct impact of the dam over time,” SABUKO experts concluded.

HELPING LOCAL FARMERS AND PASTORALISTS

The issue of food safety is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of the environment and to avoid economic losses caused by possible diseases, SABUKO provided local farmers with veterinary medicines and regular training on ecology and rotational grazing, which helps to introduce and further implement the principles of sustainable land management. Farmers also have the opportunity to participate in workshops on degradation, erosion, land management, biodiversity, etc.

In order to reduce grazing cases in the fl oodplain forest, SABUKO assessed the potential location of the areas where sheep drink water. Based on the results of the study, SABUKO has arranged 8 facilities for sheep to drink water, wells and a 2.5-kilometer corridor, which will signifi cantly help to reduce the impact of sheep grazing on fl oodplain forests and the River Iori.

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ROTATIONAL GAZING & SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT

SABUKO made a short animated fi lm about rotational grazing in Georgian and Azerbaijani. The main purpose of the animation is to provide the audience with information on degradation and sustainable land management and raise awareness about rotational grazing.

The organization reviewed existing pasture regulations and legislation and developed a report. In addition, SABUKO, together with other stakeholders, is actively working on the development of a Georgian policy document on pasture management.

SABUKO, in cooperation with the Export Development Association, assessed the potential of sheep and lamb products in the EU and Gulf countries. The report provides information on the following products: milk and dairy products, mutton and meat products, live sheep and sheep wool. The study also includes information on sales channels, technical regulations and standards in the local market, EU and GCC countries.

In order to raise awareness about conservation and degradation, SABUKO developed a board game "Playing in the Iori fl oodplain", which introduces players to the River Iori fl oodplain forest, biodiversity, principles of sustainable grazing, etc. In addition, the board game will help players master the information about the steppe ecosystem and their maintenance.

As part of a collaboration with local media, SABUKO has developed articles, photos, videos and multimedia materials to raise awareness about the Chachuna Reserve in both Georgian and English. Active sharing of materials takes place through social media and other platforms.

SABUKO continues to study and monitor animal species in the Chachuna Reserve and surrounding areas using camera traps. To do this, about 25 camera traps have already been installed in the Chachuna Reserve and its surrounding areas.

Aleksandre Mikeladze, Project Manager, says one of the main problems on the ground is degradation, which dates back to Soviet times.

“Too many sheep gather there, even though, there is not much water. Due to the high number of sheep and lack of grass, along with food shortage, sheep encroach into the forest. We should do our best to preserve the wildlife. Farmers often complain that sheep enter the forest on their own, as when they are taking sheep down to the river for watering, they scatter, and because they have to walk many kilometers from the farm to the river, they are hungry and enter the forest on their own to graze. Farmers say they do not have enough shepherds to look after the sheep to prevent them entering the forest while going to the river for water. Our priority is to promote the restoration of the fl oodplain forest and to arrange a funnel type fenced corridor to reduce the number of sheep entering the forest, while also providing access to the watering points.

“The main problem is that resources are used unsustainably. In order for the grass to grow, the area needs to be rested for some time from grazing. We presented a rotational grazing scheme to the Agency of Protected Areas, which put this point in the contract for the farmers. Some farmers are skeptical about Rotational grazing, but when we planned and implemented it with one, others also became interested.

“We decided to interview the farmers and help solve the problem that matched the project goals. One of the main problems turned out to be limited access to water. SABUKO arranged watering points near farms, which sparked hope among the farmers.

“We’ll be working on creating a policy document on pastures in parallel with interviewing farmers, getting acquainted with their opinions and needs, that will be considered while developing the policy document.

“Not only do we monitor the conservation of natural resources, but we also help local shepherds. We provide farmers with vet medicines, share our experience and knowledge. We cooperate with Ilia State University, aiming to involve the young generation in this important work. We use innovative approaches, such as exploring sheep movement routes by GPS, etc.

“Rotational grazing turned out to be fruitful, as, afterwards, better grass grows in the area. This turned out to be a very happy moment for SABUKO. The project will continue for another 2 years, during which even more useful work will be done to improve the living standards of the locals and to preserve the existing natural resources and ecosystem,” Mikeladze says.

“The legislation regarding pastures is very general, there are no relevant normative acts,” says Tinatin Arveladze, Policy Manager.

“Under these conditions, SABUKO developed a rotational grazing scheme. For example, when a plot of land was leased, they were instructed to follow SABUKO’s rotational grazing scheme as enshrined in the lease agreement by the Agency of Protected Areas. SABUKO actively cooperates with pasture tenants issued by the Agency of Protected Areas to implement a rotational grazing scheme or meet other requirements set out in the contract.

“We obtained important information from the shepherds, it turned out that they only made deals orally. There were no defi ned obligations. Shepherds have no interest in pursuing sustainable grazing principles because they only stay on the ground for 1-2 years and then leave. We also shared this issue with the Agriculture Committee.

“We are also involved in the research carried out by Parliament, because we aim to share the interests and needs of farmers with the government. Our strength is that we work on the ground and are well aware of the situation. We also conducted a socio-economic survey among the locals and made relevant conclusions,” Arveladze notes.

“Earlier this year, SABUKO attended a public hearing on the Dali Reservoir. At the meeting, we highlighted the importance of the reservoir in fl ooding the fl oodplain forest and presented key research fi ndings on the health of the Iori River fl oodplain forest, highlighting the difference in fl oodplain composition in the upper and lower parts of the reservoir. During the public hearing, the licensee and representatives of the Ministry agreed on the periodic release of the reservoir. SABUKO reached an agreement with Georgian Amelioration on the periodic release of the Dali Reservoir. However, the study found that a barrier is needed for effective fl ooding. SABUKO conducted a "Chachuna GE0000003" - Impact Assessment, which includes identifying and assessing the potential impacts on the emerald site species and habitats that the site is designed to protect. In the current quarter, documentation was submitted to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia for further proceedings. In addition, we developed a barrage management plan that includes activity monitoring and determines the effectiveness of mitigation measures taken.

“We are going to release water from the reservoir, ” Arveladze says. “We have prepared an appropriate assessment document and are waiting for permission. SABUKO uses this data for advocacy. These needs have been identifi ed by scientifi c research. Natural fl ooding will occur as it did before the existence of the Dali Reservoir on the ground. Accordingly, the water will be released in stages. This reservoir contributed to desertifi cation, replacing fl oodplain forest species with species characteristic of an arid space.

“The state policy regarding the reservoir should be related to conservation and should not only serve irrigation purposes. We have to take care of this in the future as well. The reservoir must fi rst serve a conservation purpose. “In the future, we want to regulate the principles of sustainable grazing through lease agreements.”

“We started the Chachuna Biodiversity Survey in the winter of 2019, at which time we had no tangible data,” says Khatia Basilashvili, Biodiversity Conservation Manager. “We installed 25 camera traps and actively check the data, and now fully understand which species of animals live there. It has been proven that the Iori fl oodplain in Chachuna is very important, as it is the only shelter for wild species, because they come there to drink water, hide from extreme heat during summer, forage and survive

“We have found wolf families there, and want to determine if they really live there or just follow the sheep.

“We also photographed a lynx that is on the verge of extinction. There is a prospect that lynx will breed here and even more interesting wildlife representatives will live together in the Iori fl oodplain, such as, gray wolf, European hare, golden jackal, fox, wild boar, black francolin, jungle cat, chukar partridge, porcupine, etc. The population of birds of prey is very diverse in Chachuna.

“During these two years, we got very close to local rangers, farmers and border police guards. Cases of poaching have decreased, which can also be considered our contribution. We have created a quiet and harmonious environment there, which makes us proud.”

Marinus Gebhardt, Natural Resources Manager, highlights the positive impacts of the rotational grazing scheme developed by SABUKO on the local environment. He also points out the importance of successful cooperation with local shepherds and farmers and raising awareness on the benefi ts of rotational grazing among them.

“As a result of direct and active cooperation with SABUKO, the locals are gradually developing the skills of rotational grazing, which is quite benefi cial for the environment. As such, the growth of grass in the areas of grazing is notable, and the negative impact on the environment is reducing, which makes us very happy. Sometimes it’s diffi cult to change behavior the locals had had over years, but it’s still achievable and we can see the progress clearly. Sharing experience and gaining their trust is quite important. Over time, our team is expected to have more tangible results in this direction. Our main advantage is that we work with them directly on the ground, which helps us to communicate with more people and involve them in the process of receiving profi t without harming nature.”

In the upcoming two years, SABUKO is expected to bring even more benefi ts to both wildlife species and the local population through its dedicated work and innovative approaches, supporting economic activities and preserving Georgia’s unique natural resources at the same time.

Photo: Sopho Apciauri

Again with Ushba: Svaneti

BLOG BY TONY HANMER

Well, the hardest climb (though not the highest) in the Caucasus certainly has a personality, as much as mountains can. It stunned me again recently with some new looks I’d never seen before.

I was driving back from Mestia to Etseri with my wife and some dear friends who are also guests of ours at the moment, a lady and her niece from Kakheti who had never been to Svaneti before. We saw clouds covering Ushba near Becho on the way out at midday, and I held out little hope for change at our return late afternoon, Mestia also offering no difference. The best time to catch the mountain uncovered is usually mornings, though it can surprise at any time, as my 700+ photos over 21 years point out.

As we swung around the corner where one’s next view happens, above Becho near the turnoff to the village of Tskhumari, there it was. But only just: a veil of mist covered the magnifi cent top part, barely but defi nitely visible through it, almost taunting me. I stopped the car and ran out with camera ready, and took a few shots of this apparition.

We stopped again a few minutes later as my wife wanted to check out the concrete block factory above Becho, still going strong since it had fi nished making raw concrete for President Saakashvili’s road renovation of the region some years ago. There the view of Ushba was still veiled, but getting clearer, yet still as mysterious as ever. While she discussed our café’s materials needs with the factory overseer, I shot away, even fi nding a smooth puddle of water for muchdesired refl ections.

Then, business there fi nished, I decided on a whim to take us on the new asphalt road into Becho itself, to its far end at Mazeri and the Grand Hotel Ushba, to see how the road was and whether the Mountain would continue to reveal itself. Clouds around it really help the dramatic mood, I fi nd, more than a plain blue sky, which can be a bit boring in its featurelessness. Clouds at least let you know that you should count yourself lucky to see the mountain at all. I also fi nd myself converting my color original RAW fi les to black and white most of the time for this and most landscape work nowadays, and will likely make new monochrome versions of all my old Ushba shots in future too.

It did continue to clear up, and as we drove as far as we intended to, the sharpest view of the day loomed out of the clouds. So we had the best of all worlds in a half-hour time space: from invisibly misted over to well-defi ned in all its details. The little “fangs” called Babua and Bebia (Grandfather and Grandmother) also stood out well on the left hand side, adding a third dimension.

It is such a privilege for me to live so close to this towering presence. The irony of not being able to see it from our house at all is mitigated by views from fi ve minutes’ walk away, and many other angles, from our own village of Etseri, Pari, various points on the road, Becho, Tskhumari, Latali, Mestia, the Khatsvali and Tetnuldi ski resorts, K’ala and far above Ushguli. I have seen it from all these places, and mostly still lack the view from above Nak’ra, which I’m told will throw in Elbrus, highest peak in the Caucasus, in the same frame as Ushba for free. A balloon ride is still a fi rm dream, getting my wife and me perhaps closer and to more exotic angles than any other way (except by helicopter, also on my bucket list). Now THAT will be something to write home and here about.

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

Shanae’s Tragic Death: Investigation Underway

Continued from page 1

Within the frames of the ongoing investigation, a forensic examination was conducted, the results of which are yet to be made public.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia quickly classifi ed Shanae’s death, and investigation is underway under Article 108 of the Criminal Code which envisages “premeditated murder.”

The MIA initially launched the investigation into the disappearance of the 31-year-old Australian under Article 143 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates illegal deprivation of liberty.

The agency says operative-investigative activities are underway to identify and arrest the culprit.

Shanae’s friends, colleagues and neighbors were questioned as part of the investigation. Shanae’s brother was also questioned by police. The details of questioning are unknown.

Shanae Brook Edwards was an English teacher who came to Georgia a year and a half ago and worked at International House. She was a big fan of the Georgian culture, nature and alphabet.

She went missing on July 30. At 3:35pm, she left home in her jogging clothes, planning to exercise on the Mtatsminda slope before meeting a friend at 6pm. Reportedly, she encountered two male passers-by while walking: one of them approached her to ask something, while the other followed at a close distance.

She was then seen across from the Church of Mikhail of Tver, a popular hiking start-point.

At 4:32pm, a friend in California, and the last person she had called before her hike, received a call from her and heard her screaming and saying “Let me go. Get your hands off me.”

She was not seen or heard of after that, and local friends called for a public search to begin the next morning after police and rescue workers failed to locate her that night.

The K-9 department was also called in.

Some 300 citizens co-ordinated a search, using a WhatsApp chat group and Facebook, which spread from KusTba to the outer reaches of Okrokhana village. Suspicious or potentially related objects (a spade, glove, glasses, bracelet, items of clothing) were photographed and shared, routes were decided and drones were brought in, as were spare charging devices so searchers could stay online, some kindly donated by an unnamed company.

At just after 7pm on Saturday evening, rumors began to spread on Georgian media that the K-9 unit had found a body the police suspected was Shanae’s. The WhatsApp searchers, out of respect for the family, asked the civilian searchers in the chat to refrain from spreading possible falsities and to wait for an offi cial announcement. This came within the hour, and the WhatsApp group was shut down following a thank you message to all who had tried to fi nd Shanae.

Shanae, like many foreigners, including other lone female joggers, had visited the Mtatsminda slope often before, and was known as a pro hiker.

Allegedly, this is not the fi rst incidence of an attack on a foreign woman occurring in that area. Other foreign women also recall cases of seeing suspicious men in that location trying to pursue them. Some claim they reported such incidents to the police but faced obstacles in either translation or resources, with many reporting a lack of interest from the authorities.

Early this week, an English-language group was set up on Facebook called ‘Safe Tbilisi,’ bringing together professionals (lawyers, self-defense trainers, translators, journalists, IT experts, and others- both foreign visitors and foreign/ local residents) who want to see a safer capital city. Suggestions and offers have been made to this end, among them pushing for CCTV and security patrols to be set up on the most popular hiking routes, for a map to be made pin-pointing “risk” areas of past incidents, for training courses to be run in self-defense, and for women hikers to carry selfdefense weapons or personal alarms.

Reaction to the tragedy of Shanae’s murder has been a mix of sadness, anger, and a determination that such an act be prevented from happening again. Many local citizens wrote on social media that they feel ashamed and deeply saddened by what happened. Some called it the “last straw” for Georgia’s already damaged reputation, although others claim that the aggressive acts of a few cannot be thought by foreign visitors and investors to represent an entire population or country.

On Mtatsminda, where the tragedy occurred, Shanae’s friends, and those who had searched in vain for her throughout the day on Saturday, lit candles and brought fl owers to honor her memory. Others took fl owers to the gated entrance of her fl at.

Society is now eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation, hoping that the perpetrator will be severely punished by law, and that lessons will be learned and such tragedies prevented in future.