Ethno-ecological contexts of the Skhalta Gorge and the Upper Svaneti (Georgia, the Caucasus)

A comparative analysis of the Skhalta Gorge and Upper Svaneti, two high mountain regions in Georgia, reveals that rapid depopulation can lead to ecological degradation if local culture and traditions are not actively preserved. The study demonstrates that sustainable development requires intervention rather than abstention, with tourism emerging as a key mechanism for restoring ethno-ecological balance by supporting traditional agriculture. This research leverages political ecology and the concept of socio-ecological systems (SES) to highlight the interplay between social and ecological dynamics under varying historical, political, and climatic conditions.

Shmelev, S., & Kikvidze, Z. (2016). Ethno-ecological contexts of the Skhalta Gorge and the Upper Svaneti (Georgia, the Caucasus). Journal of Political Ecology, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.2458/v23i1.20212