Sustaining Rural Livelihoods in Upper Svaneti, Republic of Georgia

State-led development in Upper Svaneti, Georgia, threatens rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation by prioritizing commercial tourism and timber concessions over local resource access. Research reveals that low-income households and remote villages are disproportionately dependent on common pool resources (CPRs), which cannot be easily replaced by wage income from new industries. Traditional governance structures and diversified livelihood strategies are critical for risk management, but current development pathways risk environmental degradation and increased wealth inequality. Institutional analysis shows that while forest users exhibit traits conducive to community forest management (CFM), legal frameworks and financial incentives hinder decentralization. An alternative approach—such as ecotourism with protected areas—could better sustain subsistence practices, support small-scale businesses, and ensure equitable opportunities, offering a more socially desirable development model.

Kemkes, R. J. (2013). Sustaining Rural Livelihoods in Upper Svaneti, Republic of Georgia [University of Massachusetts Amherst]. https://doi.org/10.7275/M3EX-X616