The experts of the Czech "Arnika" NGO, together with the Armenian "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" and "EcoLur" NGOs, conducted research to find out the industrial pollution and its effect on the human organism in Ararat and Surenavan settlements, Ararat Region.
The research is conducted within the framework of "Participation of civil society in the protection of chemical safety in Armenia" project with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Czech experts took test samples from the lands adjacent to Ararat gold mining plant, Ararat cyanide tailing dump, the irrigation water pipe, fish, and the gardens of the local residents. Bio-samples were also taken from the residents.
"In a certain period of the Czech history, the problems of economic and industrial development were similar to the history of the Soviet Union. When the Czech Republic joined the European Union, a transformation began with the introduction of the best technologies. The Czech Republic is interested in transferring its experience from a polluting economy to a more stable, clean and nature-preserving economy to Armenia," Valeriya Grechko said, who is the coordinator of the project and the representative of "Arnika" NGO.
Inga Zarafyan, President of "EcoLur" Informational NGO, said: "We have a lot of pollution in the areas where the mining industry is developed. We collect data so that we can demand decisions and laws that protect people from irresponsible businesses. The polluting organization must provide compensation for its pollution, but this principle does not apply to us."
“Ararat Valley is a paradise, where there are good prerequisites for agro-tourism and eco-tourism. However, Ararat Town, Ararat, Avshar, Armash, Yeraskh, Surinavan villages have been exposed to the dust and cyanide tailing dumps of the cement factory for years. I hope that this research will find out how many harmful substances there are in our environment and in the body," Tigran Matevosyan noted, President of "Armash Center for Support and Development of Rural Communities" NGO.
"In our region, the most important right to health and life, the right to healthy living, is affected. the chemicals in the gold plant cyanide tails, cyanide, etc., spread and affect our health. This is a matter of national security," Mher Karagozyan outlined, President of "Public Control" NGO.
"Similar researches are very important, if they have feedback, they can make a difference with their results," Tsovinar Aleksanyan emphasized, Director of Ararat Primary Health Care Center, GP, Member of Ararat Consolidated Community Council.
According to her, ischemic, high blood pressure, tumor diseases and diabetes prevail in the community. "Smoke and dust are certainly related to that condition. Factories must observe environmental norms and install filters," Tsovinar Aleksanyan highlighted.
Oleg Dulgaryan, President of "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" NGO, said that the results of the research will be presented to the responsible state departments. "We will find out how much damage has been done to the environment, agriculture and people's health. The results of the research carried out in 2018-2021 were used as factual data for the protection of interests at the local and national state levels," Oleg Dulgaryan noted.
July 17, 2023 at 16:18