Kakheti Steppes
Restoring Georgia’s semi-arid grasslands to protect biodiversity, strengthen sustainable pastoralism and reconnect habitats for the Caucasian leopard.
Between the Iori and Alazani rivers in southeast Georgia lies the Kakheti Steppes, a semi-arid grassland of exceptional biological and cultural importance. These steppes have supported pastoralist communities for millennia, providing winter pastures for tens of thousands of sheep. The region’s unique location at the crossroads of the Palearctic, Indomalayan and Afrotropical biogeographic regions supports a remarkable mix of wildlife, from wolves and hyenas to vultures and eagles, and was once home to the elusive Caucasian leopard.
Today, overgrazing, poaching and land conversion are degrading this fragile habitat. Building on the success of the Iori River Valley project, this initiative is scaling up efforts to restore grasslands, strengthen community-led stewardship and reconnect wildlife corridors across 100,000 hectares of the Kakheti landscape.
Kakheti region, Georgia
BirdLife Europe / SABUKO
Ongoing since 2022
100,000 ha
Steppe grasslands, endemic light arid woodland, riparian forests, cliffs and gullies
Caucasian leopard, goitered gazelle, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, jungle cat, European hare, striped hyena, Eurasian griffon vulture, cinereous vulture, Egyptian vulture, Eastern imperial eagle, black francolin
Soil carbon storage, erosion control, biodiversity conservation, sustainable pastoralism, cultural heritage
Why this place matters
This landscape provides habitat for large carnivores, scavenging raptors and migratory birds, and has recently seen the reintroduction of the goitered gazelle in Vashlovani.
The Kakheti Steppes are a vital component of the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. The landscape’s combination of steppe grasslands, arid woodland and riparian corridors supports an extraordinary diversity of species rarely found elsewhere in Europe. It provides habitat for large carnivores, scavenging raptors and migratory birds, and has recently seen the reintroduction of the goitered gazelle in Vashlovani.
The area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2022, recognising both its ecological and cultural value. However, overgrazing, poaching and the conversion of natural steppe to farmland have led to the loss of native vegetation and soil degradation. Traditional grazing systems that once maintained a balance between people and nature have been disrupted, placing further pressure on biodiversity.
Despite this, the Kakheti landscape retains exceptional restoration potential. Local communities and conservation organisations are now working together to re-establish sustainable land management and reconnect fragmented habitats, laying the foundation for the long-term recovery of species such as the Caucasian leopard.
Action on the ground
The project is restoring steppe grasslands and woodland habitats while promoting sustainable pastoralism and wildlife conservation.
Engaging semi-nomadic pastoralists in sustainable rangeland management through dialogue, training and demonstration sites.
Sharing knowledge and developing financial models to secure long-term ecological and economic sustainability for Georgia’s rangelands.
Strengthening policies and management frameworks that protect steppe and woodland ecosystems.
Addressing the ecological and socio-economic causes behind the local extinction of the Caucasian leopard to enable its natural return.
Reducing poaching pressure and supporting law enforcement within and around protected areas.
Expanding sustainable rotational grazing across 25,000 ha, including 20,000 ha of protected areas and 5,000 ha of private land, to restore grassland biodiversity and soil carbon.
Restoring riparian forests and floodplain vegetation along the Iori River to improve habitat quality and connectivity.
Monitoring Highlights
The project team monitors a range of indicators covering topics ranging from ecological recovery to economic impacts and community engagement. This helps to inform adaptive management.
Objective: Increase abundance and regeneration rate of key tree species
Objective: Decrease amount of key habitat converted
Objective: Increase biomass production
Objective: Increase income from value-added products through rotational grazing
Objective: Increase number of farmers that have signed conservation agreements
Fewer sheep, greater value: a new approach to pastoralism in Georgia
Building nature-positive economies through partnership in Kakheti and Sakar
Discovering Europe’s wild side: Advancing restoration with sustainable travel
