Mountain regions, population and their ecological problems: Case study of Mestia municipality

Abstract

Aim: Mountain regions face specific challenges which require appropriate policies implemented in accordance with the principle of sustainable development. The most important aspect of sustainable development is direct consideration of population needs when drawing the development plan. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze the opinions, attitudes and behavior of Mestia municipality population towards the environment and identify the most important ecological problems. Methodology: 895 people were surveyed in Mestia municipality. Stratified and cluster selection methods were used for selection of respondents and compilation of database. SPSS package was used for statistical analysis of survey results. Results: During the study, 30.9% of population under taken during the survey of Mestia municipality advocated landslide-mud flow processes as one of the major ecological problems. Seventeen percent of respondents revealed that unavailability/failure of sewerage systems is the number one ecological problem, whereas 13.9% climate changes, extreme weather and climatic events and floods. Interpretation: Obtained results are essential for elaboration of strategies for sustainable development of various regions and are also quite interesting that indicates or reveals an example of environment and mountain regions' population interdependence.