Green development resources have been assessed within the framework of "Social and Ecological Responsibility" program implemented in the target communities of Akhtala and Odzun in Lori Region, Martuni and Vardenis in Gegharkunik Region and Goris and Sisian in Syunik Region. The findings were presented on March 16, 2022 at EcoLur Press Club, where the speakers were as follows: Oleg Dulgaryan - President of Center for Community Consolidation and Support NGO, Anahit Gevorgyan - President of Martuni Women's Community Council NGO, Arthur Vardazaryan - President of New Horizons NGO, and Roza Julhakyan, Project Expert.
Oleg Dulgaryan: "It is necessary to develop a socio-ecological policy for the ecologically affected communities, which will alleviate the ecological problems and their socio-economic situation ...
On the one hand, we have exploited or damaged nature, communities, deteriorating socio-economic situation of people, but we do not have a policy in the communities that will bring a certain balance between these problems ...
Though the residents of the community are the bearers of many socio-ecological problems, they do not have enough knowledge about the opportunities and resources their communities have to solve those problems, and what harm is being caused to their community. A very small part of the community possesses the data…”
Anahit Gevorgyan: "Geghamasar was selected as the affected community of Sotq mine, whereas Verin Getashen was selected as the affected community of the hydroelectric power plant built on the Argitchi River. By violating RA Law on Lake Sevan, a hydroelectric power plant was built on the Argitchi River, which feeds Lake Sevan in Verin Getashen, without considering the opinion of the population. As a result, the population was deprived of irrigation water, whereas this community has not received any compensation from the SHPP. Residents suggest either replacing the crop rotation of their fields with certain crops so that less water is required, or building a reservoir to be able to collect water both for irrigation and SHPP…
The residents of Sotq and Kut settlements affected by Sotq gold mine, have become accustomed to this situation, as the mine has been in operation for many years. But since most of the pastures were taken by the enemy during the Armenian-Azerbaijani war, people lost them. There is a problem to keep the population in the village and to provide economic income for them. Sotq residents offer to create an opportunity to irrigate their pastures and grasslands so that they can receive some compensation.”
Arthur Vardazaryan: "There are large and small hydropower plants on the Vorotan River, which have a huge impact on the environment. It is true that large hydropower plants implement certain projects in the community, solve some problems, but there is no policy on the basis of which they will be able to implement joint projects with the community, whereas small hydropower plants do not invest in the communities.
Our goal is to collect data in the communities, to develop a socio-ecological policy based on them, which will contribute to the business-local government-civil society-community relations by raising the issues and the possibilities of solving them.”
The participant of the press conference, energy expert Edward Arzumanyan referred to the risks of solar energy. "The site of "Masrik-1" station used to be arable land, but there used to be a pasture a bit above, but they took the cultivated land for site development so that they would not go up a little and not to spend one percent more, while we have lands that are not cultivated, why the company doesn’t use them?"
In response, Roza Julhakyan mentioned: "Currently, there are seven stations in Gegharkunik Region producing renewable energy, one of which is a wind farm. It is planned to operate 13 stations with a capacity of 2247 kW. Solar energy is recognized worldwide as safe and secure, but it is not. When we asked the companies what they are going to do with the solar panel waste, Aragatsotn Regional Head said that the time would come and we would decide on that matter.
There is the matter of using panels all over the world, besides the issue of land use. The solar station heats the soil layer of its occupied area by the effects of microwaves. It will take decades to restore it. In connection with "Masrik 1", it should be mentioned that the soil under the station had a fertile layer of 70 cm."
“Social and Ecological Responsibility” project is carried out by the NGOs involved in "Social-Ecological Consortium” - “Center for Community Mobilization and Support”, “Martuni Women’s Community Council”, “New Horizons”, “EcoLur” and “Forests of Armenia” NGOs within the frameworks of The Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project.
The Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of DATA Project are the sole responsibility of “Center for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO and project partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, EPF, and DATA Consortium.
March 22, 2022 at 16:38