In the letter, the Secretariat explains that \u201cthe site comprises some of the most pristine nature areas in Georgia\u201d<\/strong> and expresses its concern \u201cover the fact that the area of the Svaneti 1 Candidate Emerald site has been drastically reduced.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The letter comes in reaction to a complaint filed by Georgian Bankwatch member group Green Alternative (supported by the Balkani Wildlife Society) with the Bern Convention Secretariat. An area that has been adopted as Emerald Site enjoys stronger protection, for instance in that more precise impact assessments have to be carried out for infrastructure developments. But also Candidate sites enjoy special protection once their importance for biodiversity has been established. Depending on the further developments in the case, Georgia\u2019s plans for constructing dams and other hydro installations in the area might therefore be seriously in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2015, in a similar case, the Bern Convention called upon the government in Macedonia to stop all hydro constructions in the protected Mavrovo national park, also a Candidate Emerald site and biodiversity hotspot. Shortly after, both the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development withdrew their funding for two hydro projects in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most advanced of Georgia\u2019s hydro plans in Svaneti, 280 MW Nenskra hydropower plant in Upper Svaneti, is set to receive up to 75% of its finance from international development banks, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only the importance of Svaneti\u2019s biodiversity, but also the long standing conflicts over the territory of indigenous Svan people that are affected by Nenskra and other projects should be reason enough for development banks to regard Svaneti as a no-go zone for large infrastructure development. Until now, however, public lenders have repeatedly stated their willingness to invest in Georgia\u2019s hydro sector, in spite of the associated risks for the country\u2019s unique nature and communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/greenalt-live.w3i.app\/app\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Svaneti1-Emerald-beforeafter-1024x724.jpg\")
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