From September 22 to 26, 2024, a delegation comprising directors and management staff from Georgian Protected Landscapes visited the Arpa Protected Landscape in Armenia for an exchange tour. The delegation, consisting of 16 participants, represented Tusheti, Aragvi, Truso, and Tana-Tedzami Protected Landscape administrations, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture’s Biodiversity and Forest Department, and the Agency of Protected Areas.
The primary aim of the exchange tour was to share and learn from the community-managed Arpa Protected Landscape’s successful management practices. The program focused on several key areas, including the development of community-managed areas, stakeholder participation, local community engagement in decision-making, ecotourism development, income generation from tourism, and biodiversity monitoring and protection measures.
Hosted by the Arpa Protected Landscape administration, the Georgian delegation was introduced to the best examples of local community involvement in landscape management. Participants observed firsthand how local communities contribute to the management process, influence decision-making, and benefit from the protection of nature and the development of ecotourism. They also had the opportunity to meet the mayor of Areni and discuss the collaboration between local government and the Arpa administration.
A highlight of the tour was the visit to various villages surrounding the Arpa Protected Landscape, where participants explored ecotourism products and services developed through partnerships between the local communities and the protected area administration. These experiences were highly valuable to the Georgian delegation, offering insights into possible future partnerships between protected areas and small businesses back home.
The Georgian team was also able to visit cultural and historical sites within the region, which helped them better understand how these attractions are integrated into the broader tourism offers of the Arpa Protected Landscape. Wildlife conservation efforts were another focus of the tour. Participants were taken to wildlife observation points, where they had the chance to see bezoar goats roaming freely and met with rangers to discuss on-the-ground protection efforts.
Throughout the exchange, the Georgian delegation shared their experiences from Tusheti Protected Landscape, focusing on achievements and challenges in protected landscape management. These discussions were highly productive, with both sides exchanging knowledge, exploring new approaches, and brainstorming potential improvements for more effective landscape management.
On the final day, participants reflected on the tour’s success. “The visit was very productive and useful,” said one Georgian participant. “Back in Georgia, I will think of developing better mechanisms for cooperating with local communities and tourism business providers.” Another noted, “The idea of generating income through partnerships with the private sector, or from tourism services such as ‘Be a Ranger for a Day,’ was particularly inspiring.”
This exchange tour was supported by the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF), which continues to provide financial and technical support to improve management effectiveness and build the capacity of staff in Georgian protected landscapes – Tusheti, Truso, and Aragvi.
CNF extends its heartfelt thanks to Arus Nersisyan, Director of Arpa Protected Landscape, for her exceptional support and warm hospitality, and to the CNF Armenia office for organizing the exchange tour with outstanding professionalism.
