Aygut and Martuni Community Residents, Gegharkounik Region, Complaining of SHHPs

EcoLur

In the frames of “Support to SHPP-relating reforms through the dialogue of public and RA Nature Protection Ministry for Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems” project EcoLur presents the opinions of community residents living the SHPP impact zone on the SHPP operation.

EcoLur presents the opinions of Aygut and Martuni communities, Gegharkounik Region, which are located in the SHPP impact zone.

Martuni community resident: “I have run away from civilization to enjoy nature here, but it’s currently impossible. SHPPs have constructed dams and collected water in the reservoirs, where putrefaction process in progress, it stinks. They regularly discharge water for cleaning, but you can’t sit, live and enjoy it…Where to go? Littoral area residents are not pleased as they let out collected water, it floods cattle.”

EcoLur: We were told that the cheese plant causes stink.

Martuni community resident: The cheese plant has been operating for 50-60 years, but we haven’t experienced such problems.

EcoLur: Are social programs implemented by SHPPs and are there any promises given to you?

Resident: What kind of social programs? Even the bags they used during the construction are thrown away along the roads. They pay symbolic 3000-5000 AMD per year for rent, they provided several electrical appliances to the school and 4-5 people are employed, that’s it.

EcoLur: Didn’t your life improve after the construction of the SHPP?

Aygut community resident: Nothing improved: moreover, my washing machine broke down, water heater burnt down, together with TV set and computer.

EcoLur: Does the SHPP disturb your irrigation water?

Martuni community resident: It disturbs the sanitary state of the river and we can’t use it as irrigation water. Our area is a mountainous zone: we don’t have much problem with irrigation, but air pollution and water.

EcoLur: Do you have fish in the river?

Martuni community resident: We used to.

EcoLur: Are there landslides in this area?

Martuni community resident: Definitely. The whole water goes under the ground, so there will be geological changes. When it snowed, a huge tree fell down in the forest from snow burden, as the soil was so loose, it couldn’t keep it.

June 05, 2015 at 14:19