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Ambitious energy project launched by President of Azerbaijan is threatening the ecology of Italian city Puglia which is among the UNESCO world heritage sites. As reported by British newspaper The Guardian this fact has aroused the discontent of local environmentalists.

The consortium dealing with the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) where Britain's former prime minister is acting as an advisor, is planning to build a 2,000-mile gas pipeline that will run from Azerbaijan across much of central eastern Europe, says the publication.

According to the publication, for several years there have been demonstrations in Puglia opposing the project (due to start in 2016) sponsored by President Ilham Aliyev. According to the project plan the pipeline has to come onshore in Brindisi and Melendugno, which has sparked discontent among the local population.

The environmentalists claim that Puglia, which boasts two UNESCO world heritage sites, will still suffer as a result of the pipeline's rollout but the consortium rejects these claims.

Other critics warn that the beach where the pipeline is due to come ashore will be turned into a building site, while the habitat of the local Mediterranean monk seals – one of the most endangered mammals in the world – will be threatened.

"The plan to build such a pipeline in one of the most pristine areas of the Mediterranean is absurd. Tony Blair is standing against communities that want to protect their land, sea, natural resources, and leave a future to their children," said Elena Gerebizza from Re:common – an Italian organisation opposing the pipeline.

Resident of Melendugno Maria Mancini said that this was a crazy idea and that the residents were against the construction of this project.

“Blair, who is keen on holidaying in Italy, may have to think twice before visiting parts of Puglia, it appears. I was there in January and people are very angry. This summer TAP sought to sponsor several festivals in Puglia but people were furious when they realised what was happening and many pulled out of those events,” said Emma Hughes, energy policy officer with the campaign group Platform.

The article also writes that building the pipeline is a key ambition for Aliyev. Analysts say he needs to start exporting Azeri gas to replace his country's rapidly declining oil income. Europe, in turn, will benefit by being less dependent on Russia for its energy supplies.

Blair's decision to take up the position of the consortium’s consultant has also been criticized by human rights groups, who claim the pipeline will help to entrench the position of the Aliyev family, who treat Azerbaijan as their personal fiefdom, concludes the Guardian.