The settlements in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Ararat, Lori and Tavush Regions in Armenia are involved in nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
This was made possible thanks to the implementation of "Promotion of Eco-Corridors in the Southern Caucasus" - Project II (ECF) and "Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" (LILA) projects.
The above two projects are implemented by WWF. "Promotion of Eco-Corridors in the Southern Caucasus" - Project II is funded by the Economic Community of the Federal Republic of Germany by the Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Bank.
The objective of "Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" project is to ensure the living conditions of the rural population through the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the mountain ecosystems of Armenia.
"Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" project is funded by the Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with the partnership of “EcoLur” Informational NGO.
On November 27, 2023, the second session of the national advisory group of these two projects took place in Yerevan, during which the already implemented measures and results were presented, and future plans were discussed.
Welcoming the attendees, RA Deputy Environment Minister Aram Meimaryan noted, "The fauna and flora are directly related to human activity. And if we add climate change and its consequences, the wars of recent years, the situation worsens even more. In that sense, the project played an important role in ensuring the movement and protection of animals through eco-corridors.
Werner Thut-Shimo Deputy Regional Director of Cooperation /
Jernej Stritih, Chief Technical Advisor of ECF Projectme, said: "The idea of the project came from the fact that not all animals can be preserved in specially protected areas of nature. Large animals need large areas to survive. We are trying to solve this problem through eco-corridors."
Armen Shahbazyan, National Coordinator of ECF project, presented what initiatives were implemented within the framework of the project in the direction of community development, what results they have and what activities are planned to be implemented in the near future. "As a result of our activities, the number of animals has doubled. According to observations, the number of bezoar goats in Areni increased from 100 to 200, bears from 1 to 4, leopards from 1 to 2. There is a similar pattern in other communities as well," he said.
According to Armen Shahbazyan, the financial participatory approach project was implemented, within the framework of which a total of 18 villages participated in various competitions, proposed ideas for sustainable development and won awards. Within the framework of the project, villages will be selected for the implementation of long-term environmental measures, and cooperation agreements will be signed with the enlarged communities to work with them.
The economic component of LILA project is implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA). Alla Ghazaryan, Project Coordinator from SDA, noted that as a result of the project, it is planned to diversify the incomes of the villagers by reducing their dependence on agriculture and animal husbandry and contributing to the development of the tourism, hospitality and tourism supply sectors.
Presenting the investments and works made in the beneficiary communities within the framework of the Project, she mentioned: "5 operating local businesses have been created, 14 businesses are still in the development stage, 36 main jobs have been created, 26 of which involve women, 50 beneficiaries have participated in capacity-building training courses."
Naire Yeritsyan, Coordinator of LILA project from WWF-Armenia, summarized the works carried out within the framework of the environmental component and presented the works planned for 2024. According to him, guidelines for the establishment of community environmental areas have been developed, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment in the near future.
He noted that climate change mitigation measures were also implemented during the Project. In particular, solar photovoltaic systems were installed on the roofs of public buildings in 9 beneficiary settlements. A 40-kW solar plant was installed in Shatin. The roofs of the administrative centers of 3 settlements were repaired and thermally insulated, the second floor of Dsegh administrative center was repaired and thermally insulated, and an energy-efficient heating system was installed. In conjunction with the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Project, 4 settlements were provided with portable hybrid solar plants.
According to Naire Yeritsyan, the total capacity of installed solar plants and systems is 152 kW, thanks to which, according to forecasts, the total annual savings in the communities will make up around 11,000,000 AMD. Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by more than 100 tons per year.
Naire Yeritsyan also mentioned that within the scope of Project, "EcoLur" Informational NGO is carrying out works to create a network of public journalists in the beneficiary communities.
At the end of the event, WWF-Armenia signed tripartite environmental agreements with the heads of Sisian, Vaik, Yeghegis and Ararat communities and the heads of community-oriented environmental NGOs "Shahaponk", "Azatek", "Yegheg" and "Gndasar".
November 29, 2023 at 17:35