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SOCIETY
GEORGIA TODAY
DECEMBER 7 - 10, 2018
Aghmashenebeli Ave Gets New Maple Trees BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
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amaged catalpa trees along Aghmashenebeli Avenue near the New Tiflis area are being replaced by new six-meter maple trees. Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi Maia Bitadze attended the process of planting the trees. She explained that catalpas, which were planted on Aghmashenebeli Avenue in 2011, are not appropriate for the urban climate, which result in their damage. "Today we are replacing catalpas with maples. It is neccessary to remedy the fact that this plant was incorrectly selected for the urban environment. Because of this, 180 trees were damaged - they could not grow and they suffered. Maples were selected from a list pre-
pared cooperatively by the municipality and botanical experts at the beginning of the year. Az many as 200 six-meter trees will be planted on Aghmashenebeli Avenue and I think they will decorate this area well. It is also well known that this plant is adequate for the climate of Tbilisi and the existing [urban] environment. I'm sure it will be very satisfying for all those people who have been worried about the mistakes on this street for many years," said the deputy mayor. Bitadze added that the damaged trees will be sent to a nursery farm owned by the municipality, where they will be disposed of in the appropriate manner. City Hall announced this replacement several months ago. The decision was based on demands from the local population. Tbilisi City Hall's Environmental Protection Service is currently carrying out large-scale planting works in the capital. By the end of the year, 12,000 new plants will be planted in Tbilisi.
Photo: Tbilisi City Hall
Georgian Olive Oil, Tea & Whiskey to Be Exported to China BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA
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s a result of negotiations with major Chinese companies, Georgian entrepreneurs have plans to export products to China, the Partnership Fund
reports. Following the success of Georgian wine exports, the billion-strong Chinese market will now have access to olive oil, tea and whiskey produced in Georgia. The official agreement was orchestrated by the Partnership Fund and the signing ceremony took place in the Georgian Wine House in the central part of Yiwu, the Chinese province of Zhejiang. Georgian wine was firstly sold in stores of the Chinese wine import company Cheers Wines in September 2017 in Beijing, and is popular among locals visitors to the city. China is the third largest importer of Georgian wine after Russia and Ukraine. The Partnership Fund also announced a new project with Chinese partners, a new factory in Tkibuli which will produce high quality jackets for local and international markets under the label of well known brands.
Image source: imedinews.ge
The long-term delivery service of 25 to 50 kilograms sacks from China. With the organic responsibility of the Trading Company "HanLin" from Alashankou. E-mail: yuechungian@163.com Tel/Fax: 86-0909-699-5859
Is Tourism in Georgia a Threat to Rural Life? Continued from page 1
An increase in tourism to natural areas can always threaten its natural beauty. Hotels and guest houses are rapidly being built in villages where, a few years ago, there was very little. As is typical in Georgia, many of these buildings are unregulated. Juta, a small village at the start of the Chauki Pass, had very few visitors a few years ago. Now, guests are greeted with the stark signs of ‘Sauna”, ‘Guesthouse’, and ‘beer, vodka, wine.’ Although amenities in the village are wanted, it cannot be said that the new constructions blend into the surrounding countryside. Walking from Juta towards the Chauki Pass, a campsite set up at the base of the jagged peaks caters to tourists in
summer. Plastic bags and rubbish are sprawled across the grass whilst horses graze in the makeshift shelters. These businesses represent the entrepreneurship of the local residents who are harnessing the monetary potential of incoming tourists. Rural areas in Georgia have struggled with climate change and poverty in recent years. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many countryside residents moved to bigger towns in search of a better way of life. The influx of tourism is helping to sustain the economy in rural areas, boost the income of struggling farmers, and offer new forms of employment. However, many neighbors are now not only the family who live next door, but business competitors. While earlier
struggles helped solidify a sense of community, responsibility for each other, and a shared identity, competition is beginning to challenge this community spirit. Neighbors compete to offer tourists the lowest prices, most ‘authentic’ taste of Georgian life, standards of comfort, and food. If tourism in Georgia’s rural areas is correctly managed and developed, it offers a huge opportunity for locals to improve their quality of life. The modernization of roads and economic potential will greatly ease the hardship of traditional life. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether these projects will be done with the most important factor in mind: the preservation of the beauty of Georgia’s wilderness and traditions.