Potential for Creating a Geopark in Kazbegi Municipality

Author: giorgi chartolani
Keywords: Geopark, Geology, Geotourism
Annotation:

The concept of geopark has come since 1990s. The geopark is a unified geographical area/ territory, where the geological/geomorphological heritage and landscapes of international/national importance are managed by a common concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Geopark uses geological heritage in relation of all the other aspects of the area's natural and cultural heritage in order to enhance the consciousness of society facing the core issues such as the sustainable use of Earth's resources, reduction of climate change effects and to avoid natural disaster-related risks. Thus, geoparks have an important role in educational, ecological, and social spheres and are beneficial for economic activity. The geological-geomorphological heritage can create job places and new economic activities. Our research goal is to study the potential and importance of establishment of geopark on the example of Kazbegi municipality in response to the social and economic challenges in Georgia and represent them in the context of sustainable development. Within the project we will study the geological and geomorphological heritage of Kazbegi municipality in terms of international, national, as well as scientific, educational, aesthetic and sustainable development.