Balda Canyon Natural Monument

Balda Canyon Natural Monument
Baldi Canyon Natural Monument
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
Balda canyon.
Show map of Georgia Show map of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Location	Georgia
Coordinates	42°29′19.2″N 42°24′34.8″E
Area	0.15 km^2 (0.058 sq mi)
Established	2013
Governing body	Agency of Protected Areas
Website	Baldi Canyon Natural Monument

Balda Canyon Natural Monument (Georgian: ბალდის კანიონი) is an Abasha gorge located in Samegrelo region of Western Georgia in Martvili Municipality near village Second Balda and Balda Monastery of St. Mary's Assumption, 295 meters above sea level.[1] Canyon created by limestone rocks in the southern part of the Ashkah massif by the Abasha River. Baldi Canyon is 1400 m long, 5-10 m wide and 25-30 m deep.[2]

Privatization and protests

In the 2022-2024 period, Balda Canyon was subject to prolonged protests by locals and environmental activists after the government decided to sell development and management rights on the natural preserve a private company.[3] Protesters have complained of retributions against them for their activities, with some protesters being stabbed and assaulted.[4]

See also

• List of natural monuments of Georgia
• Abasha (river)
• River Abasha Waterfall Natural Monument
• Gachedili Canyon Natural Monument

References

1. Balda Canyon in Georgia Protected Planet 2014–2019
2. (in Georgian) ბალდის კანიონის შესახებ GEORGIAN TRAVEL GUIDE
3. “გავშლით კარავს და გადავალთ პროტესტის სხვა ფორმებზე” – მოძრაობა “ბალდის კანიონის გადასარჩენად”, Netgazeti, 20 October, 2023
4. პოლიციამ ბალდის კანიონთან მშენებლობის მოწინააღმდეგეებზე თავდამსხმელები დააკავა, TV Formula: 12 June 2024