Lori Region on Fire

EcoLur

Lori region is on fire: the photos sent to EcoLur by Vanadzor resident Rafael Movsisyan show burnt down slopes of Debed gorge near Odzun Village. Vegetation on the slopes of southern spurs of Bazum mountain range is burnt down. The tree planting stocks planted in UNWFP frames are burnt down. The photo also shows Caucasian rhododendron. The flowerbeds of rhododendron were burnt down in the spurs of Halab mountain range. Now, weeds grow instead.

Rafael Movsisyan writes: “Vanadzor is located in the surroundings of three mountain ranges. In the Soviet period only the slopes of Bazum mountain range got burnt. Landscape fires occur regularly. Now in dry period the slopes of Bazum, Pambak and Halab mountains are on fire. The fires burn hundreds of vegetation in a day and landscapes turn into ash for a short period of time. Big trees dry out due to heat shocks. The fires also burnt down decorative bushes and trees in Vanadzor itself. The shrubberies are also burnt down near the Russian church, in “Artsakh” square, near “Vega” shop and in many other parts of the town. Not noticing all this, the urban and regional authorities organize demonstrative tree planting each year.  But nobody is interested in the further fate of plants…,” the message says.

We are sending an alarm signal to Ministry of Emergency States, “ArmForest” SNCO and Nature Protection Ministry and asking questions: 1) To what extent forest-covered territories and green zones have reduced in Yerevan, Vanadzor, Gyumri, Kapan, Koris, Meghri and other towns and where the fires occurred? 2) How much is damage caused? 3) Whether causes of fires are revealed?

Photos by Rafel Movsisyan

June 04, 2013 at 10:52