On August 10, 2026, civil society organizations addressed a letter to state authorities concerning the relocation of soil and construction materials into the Hrazdan Gorge and the Hrazdan River channel as a result of construction works being carried out in the vicinity of “Meridian” Expo Center. The letters were addressed to the Head of RA Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, RA Minister of Environment, and Yerevan Mayor.
In their letter, the civil society organizations requested information and documents, as well as clarification regarding the monitoring and enforcement measures being undertaken in relation to the site.
The letter states, in particular:
“From reports widely circulated on social media, primarily investigative reports by Hetq investigative journalists, we learned that, during construction works carried out in the vicinity of the ‘Meridian’ Expo Center, soil and construction materials have been moved and deposited in sections of the Hrazdan Gorge and the river channel, apparently causing harmful impacts on tree cover and the natural environment.
Here are links to the relevant information materials:
1. Hetq investigative report
2. Facebook video
3. Facebook post
We, as environmental professionals, concerned citizens, and organizations, are deeply concerned about the construction works being carried out in this area, as it is distinguished by its terrain and high environmental value.
It is evident from Hetq’s photographs that, given the scale of the project, it should have been subject to environmental impact assessment and should have received a positive conclusion. At the same time, it is apparent that the construction in the Hrazdan Gorge is illegal, at least from the perspective of the requirements of the Water Code.
The Hrazdan Gorge is an area rich in biodiversity, where both species characteristic of the area and rare and protected plant and animal species can be found.
The desire to have our country ready in advance for the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which will take place in Armenia this autumn, may presumably be prompting developers to circumvent the requirements of a number of Armenian laws. As a result, we are concerned that irreversible damage may be caused to the environment and the ecosystem of the area.
Based on the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Aarhus Convention ratified by the Republic of Armenia, and the RA Law on Freedom of Information (hereinafter, the Law), we kindly request that you provide us with the following information:
1. Has an environmental impact assessment (EIA) been conducted for the above-mentioned works? If so, please provide us with the EIA documentation, the construction project, the permit issued for it, and the EIA.
2. If there are any other accompanying documents, plans, contracts, assessments, etc., relating to these works and their impact on the environment and biodiversity, please provide those as well.
3. What monitoring or enforcement measures have been undertaken or are currently being undertaken with respect to the above-mentioned construction works?
4. Please also inform us, to the extent possible, whether public information and participation processes have been carried out.
At the same time, considering that the public has observer status at COP17, we request that you instruct the relevant departments to allow us, at the earliest opportunity and with the involvement of specialists, to visit the site and conduct an on-site observational inspection.”
The letter was signed by Dalma-Sona NGO, EcoLur Informational NGO, Khazer Ecocultural NGO, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)/Birdwatching Center, and Forests of Armenia NGO.
Inspection Body’s Response
In response to the civil society organizations’ alert, on August 12, A. Grigoryan, Head of Yerevan Territorial Division of RA Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body, stated in his letter:
“In response to your inquiry addressed to the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspection Body on August 10, 2026, concerning the impact of soil and rock materials resulting from construction works at the ‘Meridian’ Expo Center on the Hrazdan Gorge, the Hrazdan River channel, and the trees growing in the gorge, I hereby inform you that, within the framework of the administrative proceedings initiated, Inspection Body employees, together with Artsvi Grigoryan, Chief Dendrologist of the Yerevan Municipality’s ‘Greenery and Environmental Protection’ SNCO, visited 1 Voskerichneri Street, Yerevan, where ‘MERIDIAN’ CJSC operates.
It was established on site that, during construction works being carried out in the area for the organization of COP17 international events dedicated to biodiversity, topsoil and soil material had been deposited on the slope of the Hrazdan River and between trees. According to the dendrologist’s assessment, the trees had not been damaged to the extent of cessation of growth; therefore, it was not possible to calculate damage caused to flora.
Pursuant to Article 5 of RA Law on Rates for Compensation for Damage Caused to Flora and Fauna as a Result of Environmental Offenses, damage to flora caused by environmental offenses is calculated, in cases of cutting, destruction, or damage to trees and shrubs to the extent of cessation of growth, for each individual tree or shrub based on the diameter of its trunk (in centimeters).
At the same time, I inform you that no alteration of the river channel occurred as a result of the above-mentioned activities. As for the construction works being carried out, I note that, based on the construction area, this activity is not subject to environmental impact assessment and expert examination.
Based on the foregoing, and pursuant to Part 1 of Article 247 of RA Code of Administrative Offenses and Article 36 of RA Law on the Fundamentals of Administration and Administrative Proceedings, the initiated administrative proceedings have been terminated.”
In summary, the Inspection Body concluded that no damage to vegetation subject to compensation could be established, no alteration of the Hrazdan River channel had occurred, and the construction activity was not subject to EIA based on its construction area. The administrative proceedings were therefore terminated.
Main photo: www.hetq.am
Main photo: www.hetq.am
August 14, 2026 at 12:47