Several hundred Pankisi residents protest against HPP construction

Residents of the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia have held an action in Birkiani against the construction of the "Khadori-3" hydropower plant (HPP). They have refused to resettle because of the construction, even if they are offered better conditions.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 20, 2018, residents of the village of Duisi in the Pankisi Gorge went out to an action against the construction of an HPP cascade. According to locals, the cascade will create a threat to the environment, agriculture and tourism. They report that policemen are holding "conversations" with HPP opponents, urging them not to protest.

"We won't move anywhere and will fight to the end. If they build HPPs here, everything will turn into a swamp," said Malkhaz Metoprishvili, a local resident, as quoted by "Sputnik-Georgia".

Residents of the gorge plan to protest until their demands are met. They intend to appeal to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Georgian Premier, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.

Residents of Georgia have many times protested against the construction of HPPs. Thus, on April 7, 2018, residents of the village of Oni protested against the HPPs on the Rioni River in the Racha-Lechkhumi area. In their opinion, the plants will damage the ecology of the region.