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Mountain environment and population in Georgia: case study of Upper Svaneti |
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| Authors: | Mariam Elizbarashvili Tamar Khardziani Roman Maisuradze Marika Tatishvili |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Geography, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia;2. Department of Physical Geography, Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia;3. Weather forecasting, natural and technogenic disaster modeling division, Institute of Hydrometeorology, Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Abstract: | The purpose of the presented research is to identify local community opinions toward ecological problems in one of the mountainous region of Georgia (Upper Svaneti), to analyze how population ‘perceive, experience, and interpret’ the social, and ecological issues. The paper is based on the results of Upper Svanet ipopulation’s survey which was carried out by the authors of presented paper during the August of 2015 and 2016.The questionnaire was elaborated taking into account the peculiarities of the region. Stratified-cluster selection method was used for selection of respondents and database compilation. For statistical analysis of polling data the SPSS package was used. Based on the statistical analysis of survey results, the following issues have been studied: the most important ecological problems, environmental problems with respect to socio-economic ones, information sources on ecological problems, people’s trust in environmental issues, awareness level of the population on environmental policy, their personal contribution in environmental protection, ways to solve ecological problems, implemented environmental measures. The obtained results are important to foster mountain population’s active participation in processes that contribute to decision-making processes, planning and implementing programs for sustainable development. |
| Keywords: | Mountain environment ecological problems sustainable development public opinion Georgia natural hazards |