WWF Concerned Over BTC’s Impact on Environment

(Tbilisi. March 12, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Position-paper of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) expresses concern regarding the security of the fragile ecology of Borjomi valley – a resort famous for its mineral water resources, in case of damage of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.

WWF has been in intensive discussions with BP and its Georgian subsidiary BTC regarding the routing for the Baku -Tbilisi – Ceyhan pipeline particularly with respect to the proposed passage through the Qtsia -Tabatskuri Protected Area and the Borjomi – Kharagauli National Park Support Zone.

The WWF recognizes that BP has done substantial scope of work to minimize environmental risk in case spill occurs. “However WWF remains extremely concerned about the potential environmental and social impacts of the pipeline in the highly sensitive Borjomi and Tabatskuri areas,” the WWF position statement reads.

WWF also remains convinced that Borjomi valley would be irreversibly damaged by any leakage of the pipeline.

“This would not only affect the drinking water resources of Borjomi and surrounding villages but also destroy the reputation, international standing and tourism potential of one of Georgia’s most famous national treasures,” WWF says.

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