Media Session Hosted by IDS Borjomi Georgia at Rooms Hotel
Environmental protection is a matter of paramount importance on the modern world’s agenda. Various Georgian companies are aware of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and join a number of campaigns in this respect. IDS Borjomi Georgia is no exception. Within the scope of the CSR project #BorjomiCSR, on May 10, it hosted the representatives of media platforms at Rooms Hotel Tbilisi at a media seminar on aspects of environmental protection.
Nitsa Cholokashvili, Head of Public Relations Division at IDS Borjomi Georgia, briefed the guests about the results of the Borjomi forest restoration program, ongoing since 2011, while Marine Sujashvili, Deputy Head of Forest Maintenance Department at the National Forestry Agency (NFA) discussed in detail important environmental issues and explained the right technique of tree plantation.
“Environmental protection of the territory adjacent to Borjomi represents one of the most valuable and important directions for IDS Borjomi Georgia in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility,” stated Cholokashvili. “Borjomi is a ‘postcard’ destination for our country with its incredible nature. It is also a territory where the main deposits of mineral waters that we produce are located. Thus, the preservation of this area is as vital for locals as it is for guests.”
Cholokashvili then focused on the CSR project, launched several years ago. “[It is] a platform through which we work in three directions: environmental protection, education and sport, all of them being mostly centered around the Borjomi region. The location has been chosen on purpose, as our country certainly needs decentralization and there is a lack of important campaigns in the regions of Georgia,” she said. She also accentuated the importance of education for raising public awareness and developing different sports for bringing up healthy and energetic generations.
Cholokashvili said a training center was launched in Borjomi catering for 400-500 students annually, where the youngsters are able to acquire knowledge in academic subjects, as well as benefit from informal education classes.
The Head of the Public Relations Division of the company stated that along with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, IDS Borjomi Georgia has been engaged in the Borjomi forest restoration project for three years and regularly participates in the tree planting programs.
“What is crucial in this case is that the initiative not only involves the planting of trees, but that we take part in the ongoing processes. For five years we have taken care of each sapling and followed all the rules to ensure their healthy growth.”
Marine Sujashvili informed the media representatives about the challenges faced by the nature and forests of Borjomi today and explained ways to overcome them. Sujashvili focused on the significance of investigating the area prior to the start of the plantation, going on to clarify the methods and the tree varieties that have to be used in different areas during plantation. She also gave particular examples and defined the methods of proper irrigation.
Finally, she outlined the importance of the contribution of large companies in terms of environmental protection.
“It is vital that IDS Borjomi Georgia be involved in the social project of forest restoration,” she said. “And the fact that the company follows all the rules and regulations is of paramount importance.”
The presentation of the speakers was followed by a discussion with the media. At the end of the session, Sujashvili and Cholokashvili called upon the attendees of the event to join the campaign and travel to Borjomi on May 18 to take part in a tree planting.
By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya