BP funds biodiversity program

BP, the top foreign investor in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector, has allocated a $24,700 grant to support efforts at promoting biodiversity in the country.

Shahin Isayev, an MSc student from Baku State University (BSU) and his team have been awarded the funds to determine the current condition of the imperial eagle and the lesser kestrel, the company said.

The award is part of BP Group’s support for Azerbaijan’s biodiversity through the Conservation Leadership Program (formerly known as BP Group Conservation Program) and for this project the team will work in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Ornithological Society.

“This is the second grant the team from Azerbaijan has received from BP’s Conservation Leadership Program and it is an indication of the high level at which they are now working,” says Paul Herbertson, a Conservation Leadership Program Officer.

The project will be carried out by a team of six people, as well as BSU’s geography and biology faculties’ student volunteers. The survey will encompass a large geographical area.

“As part of this project supported by BP we will conduct a survey to study the habitat of the imperial eagle over a mountainous area 200 km in length from the Balakan district to the Ismayilli district whilst, since the migratory lesser kestrel inhabits valleys, another survey will be conducted in valley areas,” says Shahin Isayev.

The program is a partnership between BP, BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International, Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The initiative has been running since 1985.

The annual awards aim to develop leadership potential in a new generation of conservation professionals and address global conservation priorities at a local level by assisting and encouraging teams of young people to undertake important conservation projects globally.

This year projects will be carried out with the program’s grants in 19 countries and a total of 26 teams have received grants.*