Challenges of Geologic Catastrophes in Georgia and Ways of Their Reduction

Protection of the population of Georgia against the geological hazards, land preservation and safe operation of engineering objects has become a most important social-economic, demographic, political and ecological problem quite a long time ago. This problem has become particularly acute recently, on the background of global climate change and activated and intensified earthquakes, as well as extremely intense human pressing on the geological environment. It should be noted that since the beginning of the 21 century (in 1995-2012 in particular), the trends of activation of the geological calamities in Georgia above the acceptable point is registered almost every year. Recent large-scale development-reactivation of exo-geologic processes against the general background of sensitive geologic environment was stipulated by negative meteorological elements and frequent earthquakes preconditioned by global climate conditions and geologic processes proceeding in transient conditions as well as high pressing of human influence. For mitigation or prevention of negative results, caused by geologic nature the government of Georgia took for indication of basic challenges the plan concerning sustainable development elaborated during the world summit held in Johannesburg in 2002 and resolution, adopted at the world conference held in Hyogo (Japan) in the year of 2005 which was devoted to reduction of catastrophes. The Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia was distinguished as institute, responsible for settlement of problems, stipulated in the above-mentioned documents.