Voghji River Dying (Photos)

EcoLur

SHPPs and mining make the Voghji River a dying river. EcoLur’s camera fixed the disastrous situation in the Voghji River late in August during its visit to Syunik Region. In the section between Kapan and Qajaran not reaching Voghji reclaimed tailing dump, the river is completely deprived of water. “Several people take water and get electricity, come and see the situation of this mountainous river – there is no water,” Hakob Sanasaryan, Chairman of Greens Union of Armenia, said in his interview with EcoLur.

It should be mentioned that under the data by Public Services State Regulatory Committee, “Voghji-2” and “Voghji-3” SHPPs are constructed on the Voghji River, which are developed by “Kapan Energy” CJSC.

Hakob Sanasaryan noted that besides SHPPs, “Zangezour Copper and Molybdenum Combine” CJSC is using the Voghji River, which develops Qajaran copper and molybdenum mine.

“As they are increasing their capacities day by day, the water of Vorotan River is not sufficient for them any longer, they want to use the reservoir constructed in front of the river as a water source to expand the project. They want to process more ore, therefore they need more water. Under the information I have, they pay 0.5 AMD for each 1 cum, while according to some viewpoints, even this money is not paid,” Hakob Sanasaryan said and noted that the Voghji River is already a dead river and annually around 300 million cum water flow gets out of the water system of Armenia and will simultaneously become a source of intoxication. What about the river biodiversity, the fish fauna will also be dead.

Watch the video about the dying Voghji River.

September 08, 2014 at 12:27