Martvili Canyon and Okatse Waterfall in Georgia’s west will now host visitors at night with the eco-friendly, international standard 3D lighting system making the trip to the protected areas of the country “even more spectacular”, the Environment Ministry said on Sunday.

Photo via Environment Ministry

The 3D lights were installed with the Georgian Government and the Ministry’s support, with an investment of up to ₾22.5 million (about $8.6mln) in various protected areas for the development of ecotourism. The total budget for 3D lighting systems amounted to ₾4 million (about $1.5mln).

Otar Shamugia, the Georgian Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, together with the local Government and the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration Maia Omiadze, as well as Davit Iosebashvili, the Head of the Georgian Agency of Protected Areas, inspected the installed lighting systems.

Photo via Environment Ministry

Shamugia said the expansion of protected areas, which had been increased by about 120,000 hectares last year, was “one of the priorities” for the Government, emphasising the importance of protected areas for the protection of nature and the preservation of biodiversity, as well as for the development of the tourist destination.

Last year, approximately 900,000 guests visited our protected areas, and this year, within five months, the number of visitors has increased by 50 percent compared to last year. It is important to provide visitors with the appropriate infrastructure, for which we are implementing a number of important projects”, he added, noting the construction of about 1,200 km of footpaths would be completed by the end of the year.

The Ministry said the locals would be able to visit 3D lighted Martvili Canyon and Okatse Waterfall for free for the next week.

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