SHPP in Vardenik Community, Gegharkounik Region, And Its Social State

EcoLur

In the framework of the project entitled “Support to SHPP-relating Reforms Through the Dialogue of Public and RA Nature Protection Ministry for Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems” EcoLur visited Vardenik Community in Gegharkounik Region. The main occupation in Vardenik community with a population of 10702 is agriculture and cattle breeding. The main agroproducts produced are potato, cabbage and wheat. Vardenis River water is used here as irrigation source, which is one of the rivers supplying water to Lake Sevan.

An SHPP is constructed on the Vardenis River. According to Vardenik Community Head Hovhannes Hoveyan, there is no conflict with the SHPP in the community. “When they were going to construct the SHPP, we reached an agreement with the SHPP administration that the SHPP will be constructed in that part of the Vardenis River where it won’t disturb the irrigation system. The SHPp was constructed in the place where our people, mainly I decided, so as not to disturb the irrigation system,” Vardenik Community Head said in his interview with EcoLur. He mentioned that no social has been implemented by the SHPP administration so far. During the SHPP construction stage they came to an agreement with the SHPP administration they would entirely rehabilitate the main irrigation canal. According to Hovhannes Hoveyan, these works are planned to be implemented in 2016.

Referring to the social state of the community, Hovhannes Hoveyan said, “The problem of unemployment is also available in our village like in other places in Armenia. Because of unemployment people have to immigrate to other countries. If there were a plant in the community, the people would stay and work here with great pleasure.”

January 14, 2016 at 16:47