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    On September 4, 1999 the non governmental organization "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists" in the Geographical society of Georgia has held both the Union Board exit session and international meeting. At session were present: the member of Georgian Parliament, representatives of State executive authority, bodies of self-management of different mountain areas of Georgia, public organizations interested by problems of mountains. As the special invited visitor at session there was a vice-president of the International mountain society, professor I. P. Badenkov (Russia).

    A report on problems of mountain territories of Georgia was delivered by the President of "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists", professor J. Khantadze. He in detail has considered an existing situation in mountain areas of Georgia, has noted those historical and social preconditions, which have resulted these areas in a depressing condition. The large role of society in questions of assistance to steady development of mountain territories of Georgia was underlined. The lecturer has noted, that the Union will direct all efforts to, that the public, appropriate state bodies and bodies of local self-management more is interested and closely concerned to problems of mountain areas of Georgia.

    For steady development of mountain areas of Georgia the important meaning has creation, together with neighboring states of the special international acts and signing of the agreements, which would regulate legal, economic, agricultural and ecological relations in frontier mountainous areas. These questions and, in particular, questions of guarantees of the legislation on neighbor mountain territories were considered in the report " the Caucasian convention: contours and prospects " of the chairman of Committee on protection of a nature and natural resources of the Georgian Parliament, member of Union, Prof. G. Gigineishvili. He has noted that for rescue of mountains of Caucasus most important factor will be the creation of "the Caucasian convention".

    The participants of the extended session with attention have heard the report on two expeditions in gorges Truso and Roshka, organized by the Union. The Union member, chief of expedition Dr. T. Phurtskvanidze has reported on them. (the Messages on these expeditions can be found in the Internet on the Union site: www.      ). The report was well illustrated with a photodocumentary material (slides) with samples of unique natural monuments of these gorges.

    The special interest of the participants has caused the report of the Vice-president of the International mountain society, Prof. I.P.Badenkov on a theme: " World policy of mountains and legislation ". He made presentation of Russian version of the book " Mountains of the world: global priorities " (). He especially has noted that important and enormous a role, which is played by mountain territories in economy, culture and ecology of world community. He formulated the basic directions of mountain policy and legislation. It was marked that the problem of mountains and care of sustainable development of mountain territories would be the basic priorities XXI of century.

    Present on session has actively participated in subsequent discussions. The opinion on problems considered at session was stated by the Chairman of the supervisory Council of state association "Gergeti" Sh. Obga-idze, WWF representative M. Mindadze, Scientific secretary of a commission of the Georgian Academy of Sciences on complex study of mountainous Georgia B. Goiashvili, Chairman of the Georgian State Department of Science and Engineering L. Djaparidze, Governor of Kazbegi area  P. Chqareuli, representative of the Department of sports M. Mnatobishvili, representatives of mountain population and others. Participants unanimously have noted, that attenuation of society's attention on mountain problems is rather urgent and, undoubtedly it is necessary to welcome the fact, that in Georgia a new public organization "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists" was created with the purpose to assist to sustainable development of mountain areas of Georgia. They have supported general opinion of the participants of session that the Union requires the help and support of all organizations and persons, for which the destiny of mountainous areas of Georgia is not indifferent.

    On the considered problems the Board "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists" has accepted the appropriate Decision.
 

Information service of the "Georgian Union of Mountain Activists"