MECHANISMS AND CRITERIA FOR ENSURING EFFECTIVE JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF WILDLIFE AND THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN GEORGIA

Abstract

This article examines the key mechanisms and criteria for ensuring sustainable interactions between wildlife and the agricultural sector in Georgia. In the face of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change, biodiversity conservation is becoming a priority for public policy. This paper focuses on integrating conservation measures with agricultural activities, valuing ecosystem services, and developing adaptive management strategies to minimize conflicts between people, agriculture, and wildlife. The combined development of agriculture and wildlife conservation is an important issue for the sustainable use of lands and biodiversity in countries with high ecological value. Georgia, located within the Caucasus biological hotspot and highly dependent on agriculture, provides a case study for integrated policy and management analysis. This study examines the mechanisms and criteria necessary for effective co-development of wildlife and the agricultural sector. An ecosystem approach, an analysis of Georgian legislation, and official statistical data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat for 2023-2025) are used. Regional case studies were used: Kakheti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The results demonstrate that spatial planning, agro-ecological incentives, compensation schemes, and local community participation reduce human-wildlife conflicts, ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity. The article is relevant for the development of national sustainable development policies and the adaptation of EU standards in Georgia