Georgian Environment Minister highlights Swiss company’s “valuable work” in glacial valley studies across country

Georgian Environment Minister Otar Shamugia on Friday praised the “valuable work” being carried out by GEOTEST AG in studying 22 glacial valleys across the country during a meeting with Daniel Tobler, an expert from the Swiss company.

Recognising challenges posed by climate change and the melting of glaciers, Shamugia emphasised the importance of conducting studies using “modern approaches” to understand the current processes on the glaciers.

He also acknowledged the contributions of international experts in researching the Shovi disaster - a landslide that hit the western resort last year and claimed 33 lives.

Negative processes caused by climate change, including threats from the melting of glaciers, are a challenge for Georgia today, as well as for the whole world. That is why the Ministry continues to cooperate with one of the leading Swiss experts in the world, who are conducting research on the glaciers in the country”, Shamugia said.

The research is carried out with modern methods and approaches in order to have complete information about the current processes on the glaciers. I would like to emphasise that any measure, be it monitoring, early warning system, alarm system or other, should be based on detailed, scientific studies”, the Minister added.

• Swiss consulting company completes initial research of threats in glacial valleys across Georgia

The Ministry said Tobler, along with the National Environment Agency specialists, conducted an aerial inspection of the glacial valleys on the southern slopes of the Caucasus range. The team gathered aerial photographs to analyse potential threats and plan future activities aimed at introducing monitoring systems in the identified hotspots.

We possess information about current processes and locations. We know who and where to start. Once begun, we will identify the hot spots and most critical places. The first step involves a thorough examination of critical areas, identifying potential scenarios, actively engaging in on-site processes, and then defining simulations to study and prepare for these scenarios”, the professional said.

Subsequently, a monitoring system should be established, integrating hazard management practices, with a clearly defined hazard management plan. It will take one or two years. We have places in Switzerland that took three years to evaluate in detail”, Tobler added.

Georgia’s National Environment Agency signed an agreement with GEOTEST AG to conduct research in the valleys this year. Within the next two months, the company will identify specific potential glacial dangers and their hotspots, followed by relevant recommendations to address these concerns, the Ministry said.