EcoLur
The general meeting of Shatin community (Vayots Dzor Region) opposed to the construction of a small HPP. Nevertheless, the HPP is being constructed at rapid rates. The working group of EcoLur has received an alarm signal to regional administration, where the residents came to complain about “Egheg HPP” Company. We got familiar with the letter, where the residents expressed their disagreement with the construction. This letter was undersigned by about 300 signatures. Nevertheless, Shatin villager especially arrived from Shatin Village to the regional administration to state these signatures are faked. “Just have a look: different family names, but similar signatures. These people not don’t live in the village, they are in Russia for earnings. Here are more similar signatures,” Smbatyan said.
We can’t assume any responsibility for recognizing whether or not these signatures are faked. But we headed for Shatin Village to get familiar with the situation on the spot. “Egheg HPP” Company is constructing the HPP on the Yeghegis River running through the village territory. Cars dump gravels directly in the river thus filling up the riverbed.
Severl villagers are employed at the construction, and they are naturally for the construction. “We won’t give up our working places,” they said hoping to be employed another two years. Nevertheless, land owners categorically oppose to this construction. The general meeting in the village was held on 18 August. The minutes said, “…Our ancestors settled down here due to the river: animals rinks its water and we use it to irrigate our land areas. Agriculture is the only source of living for our villagers. If the HPP is constructed, we will leave a desert to our children…” “Even today water is not sufficient for the village, and instead of giving this water to these residents, it’s given to business…Before issuing any license, the government should have taken into consideration villagers’ opinion. We are a community, a part of our government. If you cause damage to the village, you cause damage to the state. Our community completely and entirely opposed to the construction of HPP construction,” the minutes say.
Photo by Tehmine Yenoqyan
September 13, 2012 at 12:10