Ecology

KURA, ARAZ ENVIRONMENT ALARMING

Improvement of the ecological system in the basin of Kura and Araz rivers, measures being taken with the assistance of international organizations, as well as joint activities of government and non-governmental organizations were among core issues on the agenda of a meeting at the State Committee for Hydro-meteorology Thursday.

Problems of the Kura and Araz rivers are currently actual for Georgia, Armenia, and especially for Azerbaijan, director of the Scientific Research Institute of Hydro-meteorology Rza Mahmudov told Azernews Friday.

A consultation of specialists from the three Caucasus nations was held in Georgia in February on the initiative of the International Atomic Energy Organization. Similar consultations are due there in May, he said.

BP HOLDS PUBLIC HEARINGS ON EIA

BP, in cooperation with NGOs, held public consultations Friday on coordination of ecological and socio-economic priorities in construction and operation as part of the Phase 1 of the Full-Field Development of the Azeri, Chirag and Gunashli and Phase 1 of the Shah Daniz project.

Representatives of local NGOs indicated that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents must pay attention to waste management and systematic monitoring both during construction and operation of sub-sea pipelines on the Caspian. The meeting participants voiced their concern over the proximity of burning gas torches to the Gizil Aghach preserve, in particular their impact on migrant birds, as well as re-pumping of drilling cuttings into reservoirs, etc.