GREEN ALTERNATIVE AND GYLA REQUEST THE DECLARATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION AS NULL AND VOID ISSUED ON THE PROJECT OF NAMAKHVANI HYDROELECTRIC POWER

Date: 6 Apr 2020

On April 6, 2020, Green Alternative and GYLA will file a lawsuit in the Tbilisi City Court regarding the declaration of the environmental decision issued in connection with the changes in the cascade project of the two-stage hydroelectric power station of Namakhvani planned on the Rioni River in Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities.

GYLA and Green Alternative will protect the interests of the local citizens in the court living in the project impact area and they demand to declare the order of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture null and void, which issued an environmental decision to change the project.

Enka Renewables Ltd., the construction company of the hydroelectric power station, did not provide research defined by the law and the scoping findings of the project to identify possible threats to human life and health, the environment and cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture still issued a positive environmental decision and instructed the permit holder to submit critically important and legally binding information after making the decision.

At the same time, the rules of public discussion established by national and international law were grossly violated during the environmental decision-making process, and the participation of the interested public in the decision-making process was significantly limited.

Photo Tskaltubo Municipality