On April 11, 2023, the round table on "Citizens' right to live in a clean and healthy environment - Gyumri" was held in Gyumri. It was organized by "EcoLur" Informational NGO within the framework of "Be informed about plans and programs of Green cities in Yerevan and Gyumri" project. The representatives of "Gyumri Communal Service", representatives of non-governmental organizations, students participated in the discussion.
Victoria Burnazyan, Vice President of "EcoLur" Informational NGO, presented the results of the analysis of the activities and related documents of "Green City Action Plan for Gyumri City".
Victoria Burnazyan mentioned that according to "Green City Action Plan for Gyumri" program, the average annual concentration of dust in Gyumri makes up 325.6 μg/m3, whereas annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per capita made up 3.36 tons.
"In all 4 quarters of 2022, excessive amounts of dust were recorded in Gyumri.” Referring to the issue of green areas, Victoria Burnazyan noted that the ratio of open green areas in Gyumri per inhabitant made up 3.91 m2, while the minimum value recommended by the World Health Organization shall be 9 m2.
Referring to soil and waste, Victoria Burnazyan mentioned that the data related to soil quality in Gyumri is scarce, there is no periodic monitoring. "According to some scientific studies, there is moderate and medium levels of pollution in the surrounding areas of 22 kindergartens. There is high pollution in some residential areas. Unauthorized dumps have been confirmed.
According to the study, the problems of water resources are related to river pollution, water losses, water quality. According to the data published by "Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center" of RA Environment Ministry for the 4th quarter of 2022, the water quality of the Akhuryan River below the city of Gyumri was assessed as "bad" - 5th class). Phosphate ion, arsenic, manganese, total phosphorus, suspended solids, ammonium ion, nitrite ion, iron, molybdenum were found in Akhuryan river in 2021. The river had insufficient quality (class 4)," she outlined.
According to Victoria Burnazyan, problems were also recorded in the water supply system related to the extremely high level of unmetered water, 85-87%. By 2025, the medium-term target is to increase unmetered water to 25-35%.
Turning to the energy sector, she mentioned that "Gyumri City Roads" program was implemented in Gyumri, within the framework of which the street lighting system in Gyumri was modernized.
Summarizing the works done, Victoria Burnazyan noted that, in fact, the right of Gyumri residents to live in a healthy and clean environment is not protected. The ambient air of the community is polluted. There are not enough green spaces. There is no landfill that meets international standards. In fact, Gyumri has not yet achieved the main goals planned by "Green City" program.
We will present the discussion during the round table next.
April 14, 2023 at 16:04