EcoLur
“Arev&Jur” LLC plans to construct two SHPPs - "Kaputjugh" and "Qajarants" SHPPs in the area of “Zangezour” biospheric complex. Qajaran Village Head Rafik Atayan has a positive attitude towards the construction of “Kaputjugh” SHPP. He expressed a similar opinion at the public hearings held on 30 April. Red-listed Armenian moufflon, bezoar goat, Eurasian leopard and brown bear species can be met in the area of SHPP construction.
The projects of both SHPPs say for these species that they are not red-listed and are common species for Kapan region. Different fish species have been found in the Voghji tributary to the Qajarants River, where “Qajarants” SHPP will be constructed. The same species have also been found in the Kaputjugh tributary to the Voghji River, where the construction of “Kaputjugh” SHPP is planned.
SHPPs can have adversary effect on the ecosystem of “Zangezour” biospheric complex, where Kaputjugh and Qajarants Rivers, flora and fauna are included. This risk is not excluded in the SHPP construction projects. In this regard, they particularly say,
“1. Reduction in water flow during SHPP development may significantly change the river ecosystem, while over-standard water intake may cause essential damage.
2. Possible impacts on the river ecosystem may be expressed in:
· Because of water intake the significant reduction of water in certain sections of the river cause violation of hydraulic, thermal, residual, as well as self-cleaning regimes,
· Change in local fish habitat, nutrition, spawning and reproduction
· Implementing construction works immediately in the riverbed (construction of the dam and SHPP building),
· Pollution of the river water with relevant substances, item and oil productions,
· Possible deterioration of water quality.”
Article 18 of RA Law “On Specially Protected Areas of Nature” says that any activities, which violated the sustainability of reserve ecosystems or threatens the representatives of ecosystems, flora and fauna needing special conservation, preservation of objects having scientific and historical-cultural value are banned in the area of state reserves.
The material was developed in the frames of “Supporting reforms in the sector of small hydro power plants through enabling a dialogue between civil society and the Ministry of Nature Protection for sustainable use of river ecosystems” supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme".
May 04, 2015 at 14:05