Today, on June 18, 2021, Principal Ecologist from the world-renowned consulting company SLR, Nicola Faulks met with representatives of the local NGOs of Guria and briefed them about a biodiversity survey scheme planned by SLR for the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project. She also shared information about ongoing activities.
The international company SLR is carrying out biodiversity survey for the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project, based on which a Biodiversity Action Plan with relevant mitigation measures will be developed. The company places the utmost importance on measures that need to be carried out with regard to protected species. Protected species include both species listed in the Red List of Georgia and species protected under the IUCN Red list.
As part of this biodiversity survey, aquatic and semi-aquatic species, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, bats, flora, and forest vegetation will be studied. Critical habitats will be also surveyed.
The meeting held in Ozurgeti at the initiative of CCEH ESG Management Group, was attended by Project Manager, Mr. Gigla Sikharulidze and ESG Manager, Mrs. Nana Berdzenishvili. Following Nicola Faulk's report, the discussions continued in a Q&A mode.
„As you might know, we announced earlier that we intended to invite international experts to carry out additional in-depth surveys. On May 13 this year, our company signed a contract with SLR UK Office, which on its part is a member of International Consulting Group; as you can see certain activities are already underway. In the last week of May 2021, site visits were already carried out by an ichthyologist, zoologist, and ornithologist. Now, we will wait for the survey process to be completed, and then for results and a Biodiversity Action Plan to minimize potential adverse effects on the environment. Our company will plan its further steps in accordance with the document developed by SLR. What's the most important and, I believe, useful is that local NGOs had an opportunity to meet with SLR's international expert in biodiversity issues and get first-hand information regarding the survey and initial data. Our company maintains its commitment to transparency and does its business in close cooperation with stakeholders. I believe, today's meeting was rather interesting and essential for both parties", stated CCEH Hydro VI Director-General, Mr. Mikheil Nibladze.
SLR International Consulting Group is an international environmental consulting company that pools together up to 1,600 consultants from offices in the UK, France, Ireland, U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The company was established in 1994 and today is a global leader in environmental and advisory solutions. SLR helps its clients from different countries of the world achieve their sustainability goals through proper planning and implementation of measures that would have direct effects on biodiversity conservation and its sustainable development.