On November 6, 2024, a tripartite environmental agreement was signed in Yerevan between the Armenian branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Ijevan community, and "Ocon" Social-Environmental NGO. This took place during the 3rd meeting of the national advisory group for "Support to Establishment of Ecological Corridors in South Caucasus"-II (ECF) and "Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" (LILA) projects.
The agreement was signed by Levon Aghasyan, Director of WWF-Armenia, Hrant Nersisyan, Secretary of the Ijevan Municipality, and Davit Virabyan, President of "Ocon" Social-Environmental NGO.
Based on the agreement, "Ocon" Environmental Area is being established within Ijevan consolidated community, specifically in the villages of Yenoqavan and Sevqar. It will form part of an eco-corridor network to ensure the safe movement and preservation of wildlife. This newly designated area, aimed at community development and wildlife conservation, will cover 6,000 hectares. Out of this, 1,000 hectares will be a core zone with stricter protection measures, while the remaining 5,000 hectares will be managed sustainably for economic purposes.
Two designated caretakers will monitor and protect wildlife within this community environmental area. The project will allocate a €200,000 grant for the protection and management of the area, with €3,000 each going to the villages of Yenokavan and Sevqar for the implementation of small community projects.
"Ocon" Environmental Area was established within the framework of "Support to the Establishment of Ecological Corridors in the South Caucasus - Phase II" (ECF) project implemented by WWF-Armenia. The program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Bank. The ECF II program is co-financed by “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" (LILA) project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
LILA project is funded by the Swiss government through the SDC and is implemented by WWF Caucasus and Armenian offices in collaboration with "Strategic Development Agency" (SDA) NGO.
November 13, 2024 at 12:11