The Ministry of Environment has imposed strict restrictions on the Seaside Startup Summit 2021. The letter of Environment Deputy Minister Anna Mazmanyan addressed to Hakob Hakobyan, the founder of "Startup Armenia" foundation, particularly says:
"Sevan" National Park SNCO does not object to organizing "Sevan Startup Summit 2021" event in Norashen sanctuary strictly observing the reserve-sanctuary regime laid down in the legislation, that is:
- not to enter the area ofthe reserve adjacent to the sanctuary,
- reduce the number of guests and visitors as much as possible,
- Limit the sound and light effects that disturb the birds' rest,
- exclude fire-emerging activities,
- park cars at the entrance of the sanctuary,
- reduce the number of days set for the implementation of the installation and dismantling works planned for the event,
- to refrain from accumulating garbage during the works during the event and to keep the area clean.
The presence of the inspectors of "Sevan" National Park" SNCO during the performance of the mentioned works is a mandatory condition.
The Environment Ministry issued a press release on June 24 in connection with the developments of "Seaside Startup Summit 2021" event. The press release particularly says:
"Holding Seaside Startup Summit 2021 was allowed with strict restrictions, which did not satisfy the representatives of the Startup Armenia Foundation (ed., Event organizers).
"Seaside Startup Summit 2021" has issued a statement stating that the summit will be canceled this year due to non-provision of space by the relevant department, we consider it necessary to clarify.
The Ministry offered to consider the areas of the public beach of the park adjacent to the Tsovagyugh community or the public beach of Drakhtik for the organization of "Sevan Startup Summit 2021" event, which was rejected and informed with another letter that they want to organize the summit in the immediate proximity of Norashen sanctuary of "Sevan" National Park SNCO in the area of Norashen sanctuary.
The purpose of Norashen sanctuary is to provide natural resting and living conditions for birds in the islands adjacent to Norashen community, particularly the Armenian gull, which is the only endemic bird nesting in Armenia, as well as the provision of natural conditions for the rest and lifestyle of non-native birds, which are regularly encountered during the migration in "Norashen" sanctuary.
The organizers asked to reconsider the decision, that is, the entrance of 10,000 invited guests-visitors to the area, installation-dismantling works planned for the event (64 days), 600 tents, 2 stages, installation of 40 bio-toilets, sound-light installations.
In response, the Ministry informed that holding a long-lasting multi-thousand event of "Sevan Startup Summit 2021" will completely deprive the protection of the reserve-sanctuary implemented by the SNCO.
As such, such human encumbrances in the area of special protection regime will lead to a negative public reaction, create problems for other persons to apply the restrictions set by law in the territory of the SNCO, and for the rejection of applications for public events in the sanctuary of organizations.
After a detailed discussion of the issue, given the importance of the event, the organizers were allowed to hold the event there, but with a number of restrictions (the letter is attached), which they refused on the grounds that the event, which assumes about 10,000 participants, could not be held with such restrictions.
The proposal to hold the event in another place under the management of Sevan National Park, which does not have the status of a reserve or sanctuary, remains in force."
Photo Credit: The Ministry of Environment
June 24, 2021 at 14:14