Vahagnadzor Residents Don't Oppose to "Vahagni" SHPP, As They Don't Have Either Land Areas or Need Irrigation Water

EcoLur

“Vahagni” SHPP is constructed on Novoseltsovo-Vanadzor canal of the Pambak River in Vahagnadzor community. The SHPP is operated by “Apahov Taniq” LLC.

In 2014 EcoLur’s journalists held a sociological survey in the community to find out the impact of the SHPP on the community.  5 people out of 6 people surveyed said they supported the SHPP construction and noted the SHPP doesn’t harm them and doesn’t affect on water supply, besides it ensures employment for villagers. Only 1 person opposed to it, whose house was located directly next to the SHPP building. The villager noted that the noise of the SHPP hugely disturbs him and his family.

What about the public hearings, two people out of the surveyed took part in it, while four surveyed were not aware. What about the question connected with the change in the river sanitary situation, reduction of the fish reserves, increase in emigration, the answers were not definite: 2 people through the river condition will deteriorate, two people thought it will improve taking into consideration the company promises in regard with cleaning the canal, two people found these questions difficult to answer.

In reply to EcoLur’s question on changes in life quality after the SHPP construction, 4 surveyed mentioned it didn’t change, 2 noted it changed for the better, but they didn’t detail how.

During surveys it was found out that the community doesn’t use the river either for drinking water or irrigation. Moreover, the community doesn’t need irrigation, as it doesn’t have either orchards, or cultivated land areas. They earn their living by selling berries gathered from the forest.

April 23, 2014 at 14:58