Inga Zarafyan, EcoLur
Scientific and environmental public expressed their deep concern with the future of “Khosrov Forest” Reserve. Fragile stability of the wildlife reserve’s ecosystem achieved by Samvel Shaboyan at the price of his hard efforts during the last 3-4 years is threatened in regard to his tragic death. A special conference dedicated to the conservation and prosperity of Khosrov Reserve was held on 15 December in Yerevan.
This conference was participated by the Ministry of Nature Protection of RA, Armenian Office of World Wildlife Fund, WWF-Armenia, Institute of Botanic of National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology of NAS RA, Armenian Botanical Society, the Administration of “Khosrov Forest” Reserve, the Caucasus Trust Fund for Specially Protected Areas, Small Grants Program GEF UNDP, “For Sustainable Human Development” Association,
“EcoLur” Informational NGO etc.
The present participants paid the last tribute to Samvel Shaboyan by keeping one-minute-long silence. At the same time everybody supported Vorontsov Barseghyan, the current Head of “Khosrov Forest” Reserve, his professionalism, scientific attitude and principle position in regarding to such problems as poaching, conversation of ecosystem integrity etc.
Unfortunately, only the efforts taken by the administration of the reserve are insufficient for conservation. The reserve is a titbit for those with power levers. Among the biggest losses is certainly “Gilan” territory as its status had been brought down by two degrees up to the status of a wildlife preserve. If it is difficult to maintain the routine in the preserve, to maintain a routine in the wildlife preserve given to leasing for a 60-year term is actually impossible.
Another concern for Khosrov is Ourtsasar Mountain having entirely been seized from the reserve. The control over the Territory of Ourtsasar Mountain is exercised by the current Vayots Dzor Marz Head. With all the trust to this control it should be noted that no personal control is able to replace the state one.
Professor Eleonora Gabrielyan, Dr. in Biological Sciences, and Mamikon Ghasabyan, PhD in Biological Sciences, presented scientific substantiation for the reserve ecosystem conservation. When speaking about the aforementioned territory both speakers noted its exclusive significance for conservation of Khsorov’s rich heritage and ensuring the routine in the reserve.
Ourtsasar Mountain is a habitat for dozens of endemic and red-booked plants, as well as a breeding place for the Armenian moufflon which is on the verge of extinction. The Gilan Territory is a wintering site for the Armenian. At the same time Gilan borders with Khosrov reserve zone. At present a wide-scale construction of a complex is in progress in the territory of Gilan and its destination is still unknown. Armenian moufflons as well as other animals evidently have to look for another place for wintering as they have to run away from the human being. The question is where?
The conference worked out a communiqué and its draft says that “Khosrov Forest” Reserve has exclusive national and regional significance in regard to its biodiversity, has scientific, educational and cultural value and plays an essential role in the conservation of endemic and endangered animal and plant species of Armenia. The communiqué stresses out the need for “Khosrov Forest” Reserve conservation in its natural and integral state in the frames of established borders.
December 18, 2009