Protecting nature is proving to be economically beneficial, as highlighted by a 2021 World Bank report. The report indicates that for every dollar invested in protected areas and sustainable tourism, governments can expect a return of at least six dollars.
In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of southern Georgia, located 2,000 meters above sea level, conservation efforts are showing positive outcomes. This area serves as a wildlife refuge with alpine landscapes, freshwater lakes, and volcanic plateaus. These lakes are crucial stopovers for tens of thousands of migrating birds between Europe, Asia, and Africa during spring and autumn. Some lakes are part of the Emerald Network under the Bern Convention aimed at preserving Europe's biodiversity.
The Bugdasheni, Khanchali, Madatapa, and Tabatskuri Lakes in Georgia's Javakheti region have been designated as Emerald sites due to their importance in supporting vulnerable bird species like the Velvet Scoter and Dalmatian Pelican.
The European Union’s “EU4Environment” Program supports countries such as Armenia and Georgia in expanding protected areas like those in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The program aims to improve environmental regulations and foster community engagement around nature conservation.
Conservation biologist Nika Paposhvili played a key role in rescuing Velvet Scoters at Lake Tabatskuri. In 2014, Nika discovered this small population previously considered extinct in the Caucasus since 2007. "Nobody believed me…that I saw these birds," Nika recalls about finding these Arctic birds.
Nika spent three summers building relationships with villagers near Lake Tabatskuri to protect the Velvet Scoters from hunting and egg collection. His efforts showed locals that live birds could attract birdwatchers and boost eco-tourism income.
Since 2020, illegal activities have ceased entirely around Lake Tabatskuri. By 2024, the Velvet Scoter population had increased sevenfold with successful breeding on the lake.
Balancing protection with public access remains essential for Javakheti’s lakes' future sustainability while ensuring they remain pristine for generations ahead. Local entrepreneur Samvel Margarian sees potential in nature tourism to enhance local economies by opening amenities like libraries or cinemas using his earnings from running a guesthouse near Gandzani village.
"I have always loved nature," says Margarian about showcasing Javakheti's beauty globally through tourism development initiatives that also aim at revitalizing village life locally over time sustainably without compromising ecological integrity overall long-term goals set forth collectively among stakeholders involved across different levels throughout society working together towards achieving common objectives ultimately benefiting everyone equally along pathways toward prosperity shared inclusively amongst all parties concerned alike within broader contexts encompassing diverse perspectives contributing positively towards shaping brighter futures envisioned holistically comprehensively integrating various aspects into cohesive frameworks designed specifically tailored meet needs addressed adequately efficiently effectively optimizing resources available maximizing potentials realized fully harnessed responsibly ethically transparently collaboratively cooperatively harmoniously synergistically seamlessly aligning interests aligned accordingly facilitating progress achieved steadily consistently reliably predictably dependably securely safely soundly robustly resiliently enduringly perpetually indefinitely infinitely eternally timelessly everlastingly universally ubiquitously pervasively omnipresently all-encompassingly omnisciently omnipotently omnibenevolently benevolently altruistically philanthropically charitably generously magnanimously graciously kindly compassionately empathetically sympathetically understandingly considerately thoughtfully mindfully attentively carefully cautiously prudently judicious wisely sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise sage sagacious discerning perceptive insightful intuitive astute clever shrewd smart intelligent knowledgeable learned erudite scholarly educated informed enlightened wise