Practically from the first day since the publishing of the plans to build the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station 2 in Beryslavsky District, Kherson Region, activists, scientists, and engaged citizens have defended the environment and the historic heritage, as well as their right to health.
The whole territory where the construction is planned to begin is included in the Emerald Network as an area of special conservation interest (a decision by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention). Ukraine as a party to the Bern Convention is obligated to protect this area in its unspoiled state. In addition, the activists and scientists emphasize that the construction of the Kakhovka HEPS 2 will disastrously affect the Watchtower (Vitovt’s Tower), an architectural monument of national significance.
The plans to build the HEPS 2 essentially subvert Ukraine’s government policy of protecting the territories of the Emerald Network.
Which environmental risks does the construction and exploitation of the Kakhovka HEPS 2 carry? What arguments for the construction of HEPS 2 does the government have? And how does the public plan to defend their right to health and a clean environment?
Organizers: IRC Legal Space NGO, Nova Kakhovka Society for Protecting Cultural Heritage NGO, Docudays NGO
Speakers:
Ivan Mosiyenko, member of the Board of the Ukrainian Nature Protection Group NGEO
Ruslan Havryliuk, representative of the National Environmental Centre of Ukraine
Dmytro Ivanov, Water resources co-manager and the head of the NECU (National Ecological Centre of Ukraine) Kaniv department.
Tetiana Yevseyeva, chief architect at the Project Centre LLC, head of the Nova Kakhovka Society for Protecting Cultural Heritage NGO
Lesia Vasylenko, MP, head of the Environmental Committee in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Moderator: Olena Removska, journalist, host of the Crimea.Realities show
The discussion will be held in Ukrainian with sign language interpretation. The sign language interpretation is provided by the Inclusively Friendly project.