On September 13, 2024, during "Ahead of Update of CEPA Roadmap" roundtable organized by "EcoLur" NGO, representatives of the local self-government bodies (LGs) and NGOs of the Martuni community of Gegharkunik region discussed environmental issues in the region and made proposals.
The round table was organized with the support of Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office – South Caucasus Region within the framework of "Strengthening communities in the implementation of climate policy in Armenia through participation and awareness" project implemented by EcoLur Informational NGO.
Anahit Gevorgyan, President of "Martuni Women's Community Council" NGO expressed concern about the delayed responses to programs implemented in the communities. She emphasized that issues often arise when it is already too late to intervene: "Hydropower plants are already being built and operated, and only then do we say that they are illegal," Anahit Gevorgyan said. She also raised the issue of installing solar power plants, pointing out the one built in the forested area between the villages of Vaghashen and Astghadzor in Martuni area. "Does the law have retroactive force? Should we say: dismantle that solar power plant? The laws should be developed in advance to avoid such shortcomings," she outlined.
Another issue Anahit Gevorgyan addressed was the recognition of affected settlements. She mentioned that settlements within a community are often not recognized as affected areas: "I don't think that if a stone quarry is opened in Geghhovit settlement of Martuni, a resident of Yeranos, being in the same community, should participate in the public hearing because it's not their settlement. Seventeen communities cannot be affected by one quarry. The affected area should be the one directly impacted by the activity, and the residents of that area should participate. The affected is the one which directly bears the impact," she noted.
David Kefoyan, Chief Specialist of the Agriculture and Environment Department of Martuni Municipality, spoke about the community's responsibility towards Lake Sevan: "Martuni has a unique feature—Sevan. We are concerned about the problems of the lake," he said. David Kefoyan noted that measures aimed at mitigating climate change are being implemented in the community, but the issue of waste recycling has not yet been resolved. "Martuni community has about one hundred thousand residents. Today, we are developing a strategy for proper management of landfills. Martuni community has an urgent need for waste and garbage recycling. The recycling process should be included in the waste management strategy," he noted.
Diana Harutyunyan, Senior Advisor on UNDP Climate Change programmes stated that the amendment in the law on Lake Sevan should address not only wastewater but also the issue of garbage. "The Sevan law is being amended, and this should be mentioned during the discussion. Pay attention to this as the right place to raise the issue," she said. She suggested discussing the issue at a broader level, not just for Martuni community.
This article was prepared within the framework of "Strengthening Communities in Implementation of Climate Policy in Armenia Through Participation and Awareness Raising" project, which is implemented in cooperation with the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office - South Caucasus Region.
The content of the article is solely the responsibility of the author, and it cannot in any way be perceived as the viewpoint of the Heinrich Boell Foundation Yerevan Office - South Caucasus Region.
October 22, 2024 at 18:03