“Arriving in the village I found out that one more cow with clinical signs of Anthrax had been slaughtered and sold by its owner. The anthrax case of human was identified in the same village, however this person did not have any contact with infected carcass. The reason of getting infected is supposed to be old burial sites left without any security measures taken – stated the NFA representative.
After the case was confirmed by laboratory tests as positive for Anthrax on July 31st, following the recommendation of the NFA, Tetritskaro Sakrebulo issued a decree on placing Patara Toneti Village under quarantine for two weeks, and conducting appropriate eliminative-quarantine arrangements as well.
According to the NFA representative, the infected carcass was burnt with vehicle wheels and the waste was buried. Yet, the Burial-ground was not enclosed and special marks were not placed either.
“As the infected carcasses are not cremated in Georgia, the disease spore stays active for years, creating the new sites of infection. This kind of burial-grounds is a huge danger for the population if they are not properly protected” – stated Amiran Kochalidze, Veterinarian, the President of International Association of Agriculture Development.
A new project “Closer to Nature” was launched by Batumi Botanical Garden facilitated by ALCP AJ to promote 165 school student’s involvement in biodiversity and environmental protection activities.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Minister of Agriculture, the National Food Agency and SDC funded, Mercy Corps Georgia implemented ALCP on March 31st 2015. Within the framework of this memorandum ALCP will facilitate the building of two Bio-security yards with water points on the Animal Movement Route in Kvemo Kartli region, another three Bio-security yards will be financed from the State Budget.
The advisors from 5 municipalities of Ajara were trained on how to increase women participation in community meetings. Following the training facilitated by ALCP AJ, they worked with the Village Representatives and as a result of their activities, the attendance of women in these meetings has increased by 10-15%.
Very soon the Kvemo Kartli Region will have a new regional mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction implemented by Local municipalities and the Kvemo Kartli Governor’s office. The Governor of Kvemo Kartli Paata Khizanishvili discussed this topic with the Gamgebelies of the region, deputy governors, the Mayor of Rustavi City and representatives of Alliances Lesser Caucasus Programme (ALCP) on March 11, 2015. The importance of regional coordination and the necessity of creating working groups in all municipalities were highlighted during the meeting.
The Advisory Committee was established in Ajara, which is supposed to be a forum for regional players representing national, local and regional government, civil society and the private sector to tackle key issues in agriculture sector. The participants discussed the role of the Self-governments in Disaster Risk Reduction, wildlife related issues in the region and also clarified the functions of the newly formed Municipal DRR Working Group in five municipalities of Ajara.
A kindergarten was opened on February 17th in Boslebi Village, Dmanisi municipality as a result of facilitation by the Dmanisi Women’s Room. The Kindergarten will serve 30 children not only Georgians from Boslebi Village but also from neighbor Kakliani Village which is mainly inhabited by Azeris. Four local women will be employed there.
