EcoLur
On 31 March 2016 the Armenian Government approved RA draft laws “On Making Amendments and Supplements to RA Forest Code” and “On Making Amendment to RA Code on Administrative Violations” and sent to the National Assembly.
The amendments envisage permitting site development in forests and to eliminate the concept of a forest ticket.
“Against Amendments to RA Forest Code” initiative group has been formed, which applied to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Nature Protection of the National Assembly on 22 April demanding to send back the draft laws. The application of the initiative group says, “
In this regard, the discussion of the aforementioned draft laws was discussed at “EcoLur” Press Club on 15 April. The public representatives taking part in the discussions opposed to the draft laws and they are applying to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Nature Protection of the National Assembly to call back these draft laws.
The proposal of the PIU on gathering non-wood forest products for the purpose of industrial use is impermissible without a forest ticket and forest use agreement, especially when the export and processing of wild berries and plants has increased in recent years. It will cause irreversible damage to forest biodiversity, including red-listed plant species, lead to the deterioration of forest-bordering community residents’ social conditions, as most of them survive by selling berries and other forest products.
It should be outlined that the main reason for these amendments is not even concealed. The substantiations say that the Armenian Government has adopted a policy on eliminating the provisions hindering the development of business environment of market economy. That is, business and market enter into the forest.
The small business doesn’t have so many funds to enter the forest and to develop it: this initiative aims at the development of large business only.”
“Against Amendments to RA Forest Code” Initiative Group
Inga Zarafyan, President of “EcoLur” Informational NGO
Nazeli Vardanyan, Director of “Forests of Armenia” NGO
Karine Danielyan, President of “Association for Sustainable Human Development” NGO
Armenuhi Petrosyan, Member of “Mayri” Public Initiative
Levon Galstyan, Coordinator of “Pan-Armenian Environmental Front” Public Initiative
Amalya Hambardzumyan, President of “Khazer” NGO
Aida Iskoyan, President of Environmental Public Advocacy Center
Luba Balyan, Coordinator of IUCN Armenia ENPI FLEG 2
April 22, 2016 at 19:05