EcoLur
Khazhak Aghabekyan, acting Staff Head of Nature Protection Ministry, has replied to the letter on “Zangezour Biospheric Complex” submitted by “Union for Protection of Employees’ Rights”, which says,
“In reply to your letter on the list of the companies having conducted mapping of borders of “Zangezour” biospheric complex in Syunik Region and the results of their activities. In the frames of UNDP-GEF “Developing The Protected System of Armenia” project (2010-2011) WWF carried out mapping of “Khoustoup” and “Zangezour” state reserves, parts of “Zangezour” biospheric complex, and agreed with adjacent communities, which were approved by RA governmental resolution N 1465-N dated on 19 December 2013.
What is the substantiation for such contradicting activities, as mining within and beyond the borders of the specially protected areas of nature?
No mining activities are carried out in the area of the national park, Syunik Region, which will be documented by the Armenian Government with the approval of “Arevik” National Park border description and mapping.
The list of project carried out in the protected areas of Syunik Region from 2008 to present with positive outcomes and the list of the organizations.
The following projects have been implemented in Syunik Region with the support of international organizations under the Nature Protection Ministry:
- UNDP-GEF “Developing The Protected System of Armenia” project /2010-2013/ aimed at political, social and economic development of specially protected areas of nature, improvement of legislative and bylaw basis of the reserves and their harmonization with other laws.
- "Sustainable biodiversity management in the South Caucasus” regional project /2008-2011թթ․/ - in the frames of this project component GIZ discussed and made proper proposals on making amendments to RA Forest Code.
- UNDP-GEF “Support to Country Actions Aimed at Protected Areas in Frames of Convention on Biological Diversity” /2009-2010/, where an extended database was established, which includes environmental descriptors according to state reserves, national parks and nature preserves.
- UNDP-GEF “Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts in Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Armenia” project 2009-2013. The project supported the reduction of vulnerability to negative climate changes and increase in adaptation focusing on the preservation of valuable mountain forest ecosystems in Syunik Region.
March 03, 2015 at 16:35