Political Administrative Region

Political Administrative Region: Samtskhe- Javakheti
Total Area: 6.41 thousand km2.10.7 % of the territory of Georgia.
Administrative Borders: To the East surrounded by the Javakheti range and Abulsamsari range
borders on Kvemo Kartli.
To the West surrounded by Arsiani range borders on Adjara autonomous
republic.
To the North surrounded by the Achara-Imereti range and Trialeti range
borders on Shida Kartli, Imereti and Guria.
The South border of the region is the national frontier with Armenia and
Turkey.
Administrative Districts: Akhaltsikhe district – Administrative Centre and the biggest town of the
region with the population of 18 000. The town is situated within the
Akhaltsikhe depression on the both banks of the river Potskhovi on the
elevation of 1000 m above sea level.
Akhalkalaki district - Town Akhalkalaki with the population of 14 600 is
situated on the Akhlkalaki volcanic plateau on the elevation of 1700m above
sea level.
Borjomi district – Town Borjomi with the population of 14 000 is situated
in the Borjomi gorge on the elevation of 800-900 m above sea level.
Ninotsminda district – Town Ninotsminda with the population of 6000 is
situated on the elevation of 1940m above sea level.
Adigeni district – Small town Adigeni with the population of 1000.
Asindza district – Small town Aspindza with the population of 3000.
Climate Types
Mildly dry subtropical
Cold winters and warm and long summers
Average temperature in January ranges between 0,-7.2 0C with increase of altitude
Average temperature in July is +16, +20.2 0C
Annual average precipitation is 500-600 mm
Hydrographic Data
Main Lakes
Samtskhe –Javakheti region is rich in lakes.
Total number of lakes -80
Main Lakes: Paravani lake – the largest lake in Georgia. Located on 2.073 meters above sea level.
Surface area 37.5 km², Maximum depth 3.3 m, Average depth 2.2m
The lake is frozen in winter ice thickness ranges between 47-73cm
Kartsakhi lake – located on 1799 m above sea level. Surface area 26.3m, Maximum
depth 1.0m
Tabatskuri lake- located on 1997 m above sea level. Surface area 14.2 km², Maximum
depth 4.2m
Khanchali lake - located on 1928 m above sea level. Surface area 13.3 km², Maximum
depth 0.7m
Madatapa lake- located on 2108 m above sea level. Surface area 8.8 km², Maximum
depth 1.7m
Saghamo lake - located on 1996 m above sea level. Surface area 4.8 km², Maximum
depth 2.3m
Main Rivers: Kura - total length 1364 km, 390km in Georgia
Potskhovi - total length 64 km, 35km in Georgia
Paravani – total length 81km
Kvabliani –total length 40 km
Uraveli – total length 8.3km
Landscapes and Soils
Landscape diversity: Mountain landscapes with forests
Mountain landscapes with steppes (typical only to Samtskhe-Javakheti)
High mountain meadow subalpine and alpine landscapes
Soil types: Brown soil
Black soil
Protected Areas of Samtskhe -Javakheti
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Location: Located in Central Georgia on the slopes of the Lesser Caucasus.
Status: National Park (II category – World Conservation Union - IUCN protected areas categories)
Distance from Tbilisi: 160 km
General description: Borjomi Kharagauli National Park was established in 1995 and opened in 2001
with the aim to preserve the wild nature area especially the virgin mountain forests. Overall area of the
Park is 76 000ha. The large territory of the park is covered by virgin forests that is the home to endemic
and relict species. Rich biodiversity can be found in the forests and sub alpine and alpine meadows of
the Park. In 2007 the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park became a member of European network of
Protected Areas.
Floristic diversity: Forests of the Kharagauli part of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park are
presented by dark coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests. Mixed deciduous forests are mainly
consisted of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa), beech trees (Fagus orientalis), hornbeams (Carpinus
orientalis), Caucasian lime (Tilia begoniifolia), Colchis oak (Quercus hartwissiana), Caucasian
rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasica) and ash tree (Fraxinus excelsior).
With the increase of altitude in some areas beech (Fagus orientalis) forests are replaced by mixed
deciduous forests with Colchis subforest, and further – the hornbeam(Carpinus orientalis) groves,
beech-chestnut groves, spruce -groves and silver fir-groves. In the Borjomi gorge the coniferous forests
are spread including spruce-groves, silver fir-groves and spruce and silver fir-groves.
In the upper zones of the forest belt the dark coniferous forests of spruce-groves and silver fir-groves
dominate, which are composed of Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis), Nordmann Fir (Abies
nordmanniana) and pine (Pinus sosnowskyi). In subalpine belt the subalpine forests and bushes,
subalpine high grasses and meadows are spread.
Fauna: The fauna of Borjomi-Kharagauli is diverse. Among large carnivores one can find Gray wolf
(Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx) and Brown bear (Ursus arctos). Among the hoofed animals - Roe deer
(Capreolus capreolus)and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). Borjomi gorge was always famous for its population
of Caucasian Red deer (Cervus elaphus). Bezoar goats (Capra aegagrus) used to live on local rocks
since the ancient times, though nowadays only the reintroduced Bezoar goats inhabit the territory. Most
of the large mammals of the Park are recorded in the Red List of Georgia.
Among small mammals here inhabit several species of mice, dormouse, weasel, Pine marten, Stone
marten, Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus). Nearly everywhere can be found Red fox (Vulpes
vulpes) and hare (Lepus europaeus).
Several species of lizards and snakes can be found in the National Park. Among them are the Caucasian
agama (Laudakia caucasica), Armenian rock lizard (Lacerta armeniaca) and Greek Tortoise (Testudo
graeca).
The park is home to the following rare bird species: Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Griffon vulture
(Gyps fulvus),Black vulture (Aegypius monachus) and Caucasian Black grouse (Tetrao mlokosiewiczi).
Endemic species: Rhododendron caucasica, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi
Relict species: Abies nordmanniana, Picea orientalis
Species of the Red List of Georgia: Castanea sativa, Quercus hartwissiana, Taxus baccata, Paeonia
steveniana, Iridodictyum winogradowii, Sciurus anomalus, Lynx lynx, Capra aegagrus, Cervus elaphus
Ursus arctos, Aquila chrysaetos, Gyps fulvus, Aegypius monachu, Testudo graeca
Contact information: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
23 Meskheti Str. Borjomi 1200, Georgia
Tel.: 995 367 22117; 995 99 233449
E-mail: [email protected]
www.nationalpark.ge
Javakheti Planned Protected Areas
The ecosystem of Javakheti is unique in the Caucasus region with its mountain steppes, sub alpine high
grasses and lakes, and due to its uniqueness Javakheti was selected as a priority conservation area.
Javakheti ecosystem is recognized as one of the most important habitat for migrant birds, most of which
are included in the IUCN Red List.
Natural Resources
Heat -Power Sector
Brown coal
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Brown coal
Ferrous Metallurgy
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Manganese
Non-Ferrous Metallurgy
Occurrence region
Deposit
Adigeni
Gold
Borjomi
Gold
Borjomi
Silver
Building Industry
Facing stones – magmatic layers
Occurrence region
Deposit
Borjomi
Gabbro-diase
Facing stones – marmorized limestone
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhalkalaki, Borjomi
marmorized limestone
Facing stones – basalt and dolerite
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza
basalt
Akhalkalaki, Aspindza
dolerite
Concrete fillers
Occurrence region
Deposit
Ninotsminda
perlite
Borjomi, Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda volcanic scoria
Run-of-quarry limestone
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhalkalaki
Run-of-quarry limestone
Building sand-gravel
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni sand-gravel
Brick clays
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
clays
Raw saw stones and debris
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Tuff breccias
Cement production – building gypsum
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Gypsum
Chemical Industry
Diatomite
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Diatomite
Bentonite clay
Occurrence region
Deposit
Adigeni, Akhaltsikhe Bentonite clays
Acidic andensites
Occurrence region
Deposit
Borjomi
Acidic andensites
Ceolites
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza Ceolites
Peat
Occurrence region
Deposit
Borjomi, Ninotsminda Peat
Food Industry and Healthcare
Artesian mineral waters
Occurrence region
Akhaltsikhe, Aspindza, Borjomi, Adigeni
Fresh water
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhalkalaki, Borjomi
fresh water
Deposit
Artesian mineral waters
Therapeutic minerals and layers
Occurrence region
Deposit
Akhaltsikhe
Ninotsminda
Adigeni
Green agate, Selenite
Obsidian
Opal tree
Jewelry-Jobbing Industry
Jobbing stones
Occurrence region
Deposit
Adigeni
Opalized tree
Akhaltsikhe
Aagate
Ninotsminda
Black and brown obsidian
Economy
Industry 17%
Agriculture 49 %
Significant part of production in Samtskhe-Javakheti region include mineral water bottling factories,
bakeries, cheese and sausage producing plants and timber processing enterprises. Most of the
production (80%) takes place in Borjomi district. Despite abundant resources (including hydro), the
generation and supply of power in the region is very low. The region operates hydropower stations with
the 0,5-0,7, 7 and 7-12 mgvt. capacity. There is a potential for constructing wind energy mills on the
Javakheti Platue. The region abounds in thermal waters with curable properties and is known for its
balneology resorts: Borjomi, Likani, Abastumani etc.
Agriculture is well developed in the region. The total area of agricultural plots in the Samtskhe Javakheti amounts to 396 thousand hectares, of which arable plots cover the territory of 77.6 thousand
hectares. The area of 3.0 thousand hectares is assigned to perennial trees, 31.6 thousand hectares - to
natural mow lands and 279.3 thousand hectares - to pastures. Cereals and potatoes are predominantly
produced on the arable plots. Fruits and vegetables of a high quality are grown in Akhaltsikhe and
Aspindza.
Population
Quantity 208 000 (4,7% of the total population of Georgia)
National structure: Georgians, Armenians, Russians, Ossetians and Greeks.
State of the Environment
Responsible body for the regular monitoring of chemical and radiological pollution of air, soil and
surface waters is the National Environmental Agency. The Agency is the legal entity of public law in
the system of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia.
One of the main duties of the Agency is to prepare and disseminate information on the pollution levels
to both state and non-governmental organisations.
The contact information of the National Environmental Agency:
150 Agmashenebeli Ave.
Tbilisi 0112, Georgia
Tel.: +995 (32) 43-95-43; +995 (32) 43-95-03;
Fax: +995 (32) 43-95-02;
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.meteo.itdc.ge/
According to the law on Environment Protection and Presidential decree # 389 of 25 June, 1999
Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia is responsible to prepare
and make publicly available reports on the state of the environment once in three years. These reports
summarise information on the main directions in environmental policy-making of the country and on
the quality of the environment, give overview on ongoing environmental projects and the results of the
completed ones.
The contact information of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia:
6 Gulua Str.
Tbilisi 0114, Georgia
Tel.: +995 (32) 72 72 24,
Fax: (+995 32) 72 72 34
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.moe.gov.ge
Main concerns related to the state of the environment of the region
Monitoring of the air pollution is carried out only for Akhaltsikhe and only single component,
particulate matter is measured. The data are available for the stationary sources as well. Pollution from
the stationary sources basically is connected to particulate matter, CO2 and CO. Relatively high traffic
intensity due to the international transit roads Akhaltsikhe –Turkey and Akhaltsikhe –Armenia
contribute to the air pollution by soot, hydrocarbons, benzo(a)pyrene, NOx ,CO, CO2, and SO2. BakuTbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline pass through the region that also
have impact on air quality. Air pollution by non-methane volatile organic compounds, NH3, CH4 and
H2S are related to animal husbandry.
Data on quality of the region’s surface waters is extremely limited due to the infrequency of monitoring.
Drinking water in the region is provided through centralized systems only in towns. Local
Municipalities are responsible to ensure uninterrupted daily supply of safe drinking water to the
population. Though, drinking water quality in the region does not correspond to the State standards due
to the outdated infrastructure and inadequate disinfection.
River pollution is basically linked with the discharge of untreated wastewater from sewer collectors and
industrial discharge. Both municipal wastewater treatment plants in Bakuriani and in Abastumani are
out of order. Untreated water from health centres and hospitals is the source for water pollution of the
Kvabliani river and its tributary the Otskhe river downstream of Abastumani village and the Mtkvari river
and its tributaries the Borjomula river and the Gujaretistskali river in the Borjomi district. River water
quality is also affected by agricultural run-off.
Another risk of the pollution of water, air and soil of the region is due to the improper disposal of
household, industrial and medical wastes. The region operates 7 legal landfills though none of them
comply to sanitary norms. Almost all of them are overloaded and with expired operation terms. Waste
in the region is illegally dumped at the river banks and along railroads.
Environmental Organizations
The Association "Orbi"
Address: 12 Tbilisi Str.,
Akhaltsikhe 0800, Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 209 40, (995 99) 95 91 74
Email: [email protected]
Coalition – Eco Group “Eco Javakheti”
Address: 50 Tbilisi Str.,
Akhalkalaki, Georgia
Tel.: (995 55) 175627
Email: [email protected]
Association “Borjomi”
Address: 8/10 9th April Str.,
Borjomi, Georgia
Tel.: (995 99) 55 10 45
Email: [email protected]
Municipalities:
Akhaltsikhe Municipality
18M. Kostava Str.
Akhaltsikhe 0800, Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 2 08 08
Aspindza Municipality
Address: 3 King Tamar Str.
Aspindza, 0500 Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 9 17 17, (995 265) 9 15 45
Ninotsminda Municipality
Address: 43 Pushkini Str.
Ninotsminda, 0900 Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 2 22 22, (995 265)2 27 30, (995 265)2 24 14
Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional office
Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia
Address: 2A Didimamishvili Str.
Akhaltsikhe 0800, Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 2 3299
Media
Local TV: Borjomi
Address: 1 Rustaveli Sq., 9th Fl.
Borjomi, 0200 Georgia
Tel.: (995 267) 2 19 78, (995 267) 2 30 40
Local TV: “9 channel”
Address: 6 Tamar Mepe Str.
Akhaltsikhe, 0500 Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 2-09-01
Local Newspaper: "Adgilis Deda - Akhaltsikhe"
Address: 18 Merab Kostava Str.
Akhaltsikhe 0800, Georgia
Tel.: (995 265) 2 05 64
Local Newspaper: "Samkhretis Karibche"
Address: 39 Rustaveli Str.
Akhaltsikhe, 0800 Georgia
Tel.: (995 99) 57 40 67
E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected]
www.samkhretis-karibche.ge
Local Newspaper: "Borjomi"
Address: 1 Merab Kostava Sq.
Borjomi, 1200 Georgia
Tel.: (995 267) 2 29 65