Balda Canyon Natural Monument

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Balda Canyon Natural Monument

| alt_name = Baldi Canyon Natural Monument

| iucn_category = III

| photo = Balda 02.jpg

| photo_caption = Balda canyon.

| map = Georgia#Georgia Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

| relief = 1

| map_caption =

| location = {{flag|Georgia}}

| nearest_city =

| coordinates = {{coords|42|29|19.2|N|42|24|34.8|E|display=inline, title}}

| coords_ref =

| area_acre =

| area_km2 =0.15

| area_ref =

| authorized =

| established = 2013

| visitation_num =

| visitation_year =

| visitation_ref =

| governing_body = Agency of Protected Areas

| website = [https://apa.gov.ge/en/protected-areas/Naturalmonument/baldis-kanionis-bunebis-dzegli Baldi Canyon Natural Monument]

}}

Balda Canyon Natural Monument ({{lang-ka|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.[https://www.protectedplanet.net/balda-canyon-natural-monument Balda Canyon in Georgia] Protected Planet 2014–2019

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.{{in lang|ka}} [https://georgiantravelguide.com/ka/baldis-kanioni ბალდის კანიონის შესახებ] GEORGIAN TRAVEL GUIDE

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.[https://netgazeti.ge/news/693311/ “გავშლით კარავს და გადავალთ პროტესტის სხვა ფორმებზე” – მოძრაობა “ბალდის კანიონის გადასარჩენად”], Netgazeti, 20 October, 2023 Protesters have complained of retributions against them for their activities, with some protesters being stabbed and assaulted.[https://formulanews.ge/News/112882 პოლიციამ ბალდის კანიონთან მშენებლობის მოწინააღმდეგეებზე თავდამსხმელები დააკავა], TV Formula: 12 June 2024

See also

References