To what extent is Dilijan touristic community ready to face climate risks, what resources does the community have and what it needs, what is the idea of the representatives of the local government and active residents about the future of Dilijan?
Dilijan is a unique health resort with rich forests and healing mineral waters. "Dilijan" National Park was established to preserve the forest ecosystem and biodiversity. The rich nature has become decisive for the development of Dilijan community in the direction of tourism. However, this development has been accompanied by the construction of green zones in recent years, thus affecting the environment.
Climatic risks include droughts, floods, hail, deviations of summer days, river overflows or water scarcity. The financial resources of the community are scarce for solving these problems.
Small hydropower is developed here, which puts pressure on the river ecosystem.
Ecolur has developed an information module in order to introduce the policy of climate resistance and energy development in Dilijan community. In the module, climate and energy problems of the community are highlighted, recommendations are presented in defense of the interests of the community.
In Dilijan community, during the discussion of "Problems and Measures of Implementation of Energy and Climate Resistance Policy in Dilijan Community in Tavush Region, Armenia" module participants paid special attention to the community's social on development, energy poverty reduction, climate change adaptation, green job creation, and balanced tourism.
In Dilijan, residents depend on the forest. A conflict of interest arises between the wood processing business operating in the community and the "Dilijan" National Park.
Arman Bazinyan, First Deputy Head of Dilijan community, noted that illegal deforestation has been significantly reduced in recent years, and timber processing organizations import timber from abroad.
Ecolur experts suggest to strengthen the community - "Dilijan" National Park cooperation, to cooperate with the companies that operate hydropower plants for the implementation of programs aimed at community energy saving and climate adaptation.
Waste management is also a visible issue. The volume and composition of garbage accumulated annually in the Dilijan landfill site is not clear. it is not possible to carry out an accurate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill site.
Dilijan's current subsidy and development programs have not been considered, evaluated and planned from the point of view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Ecolur experts suggest restoring Dilijan's participation in the EU Covenant of Mayors and receiving expert support to to be engaged in the projects arising from sustainable development goals in the five-year development plan of the community.
EcoLur’s Expert Roza Julhakyan presented the legislative proposals included in the module.
You can get acquainted with "Problems and proposed measures of implementation of energy and climate resistance policy in Dilijan community in Tavush Region, Armenia” module here.
This module was developed within the framework of " Impacted Communities and Civil Society Organizations as Participants in Introduction of Socio-ecological Culture in Energy and Climate Change Policies in Armenia" project implemented by "EcoLur" Informational NGO. The project is implemented with the support of "EU4Climate" regional project and the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme.
August 13, 2024 at 12:47