The Disappearing White Lake of Gldani

60-70 years ago, a pipe was pulled out of the Zhinvali reservoir to fill the lake. In the 80s, it was decided to arrange a large-scale recreation area and a landscape park plan was developed with several cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment spaces, but for uncertain reasons, the project was postponed.

In 2004, citizen Gia Abuashvili bought the bottom of the lake and part of the coastline for 10,920 GEL. Interestingly, the plot appears in the documents as agricultural land, but the lake’s existence is not indicated. Abuashvili sold this plot in 2008 for 5960 GEL to citizen Natalia Kvantaliani. Natalia Kvantaliani tried to improve the recreational facilities of the space, but soon she gave up. Now part of the said plot is owned by Natalia Kvantaliani’s daughter, and the part is owned by “Jano” LLC, which is owned by Kvantalian herself.

Today, the lake is in a state of ecological disaster, it is drying up and swamping, there is an unbearable smell and medical risks have been created for the population.

The White Lake Rescue Survey found that the railroad bypass construction plant had damaged the drainage channels feeding the lake. Currently, the water flows from the pond into an abandoned railway tunnel. It was also clarified that water from the Zhinvali pipe had not been supplied to the lake for many years. In addition, a collective statement of Gldani municipality was sent to internal agencies. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency concluded that dangerous changes in the lake meters have been confirmed. It should be impossible to: restore the nutrient drainage beds of the lake, find additional massive water resources, and identify the sources of fecal pollution in the lake.

The said conclusion was sent to Tbilisi City Hall. Residents are waiting for action to save the lake, but the city hall is not in a hurry.

A tender was announced to determine the causes of the drying up of White Lake and to assess its biochemical state.