EcoLur
Water Industry PIU (Project Implementation Unit) has disseminated a clarification on Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation construction project, which says, “The construction of Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation project plans to supply water to 12 communities in Ararat Region (Aygestan, Berdik, Getazat, Deghzout, Hnaberd, Mrganush, Narek, Nerqin Dvin, Norashen, Vardashen, Verin Dvin, and Qaghtsrashen communities)”. The potential of irrigated land areas in this area will become from 854 ha to 1232 ha thus making another 378 ha irrigable. Under the project data, the water intake is planned to be carried out from April to October. Water volumes needed according to months are presented in Table 2 (ensuring 75% for the year):
Table 2.
|
no |
month |
Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation system demand, m3/sec |
|
1 |
April |
0.42 |
|
2 |
May |
0.63 |
|
3 |
June |
0.86 |
|
4 |
July |
0.93 |
|
5 |
August |
0.75 |
|
6 |
September |
0.51 |
|
7 |
October |
0.23 |
The headend of Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation system is located 1.3 km downwards from “Symphony of Stones”. The project implementation won’t have any impact on this monument and the same with Khosrov forest.
It should be mentioned that the EIA of Qaghtsrashen gravity irrigation construction project, “1.12 Expected impacts and Their Reduction” (page11) lays down the project impact on the Azat River, “Reduction of remaining flow in arid and hot season of the year. It’s proposed to take the following measure to reduce the risk “Making Water Intake Control Stricter”. This measure doesn’t comply with the essence of the risk and hazard degree. This risk is very topical for the Azat River, which lines the border of Khosrov Forest State Reserve and is the main factor in forming the ecosystem and landscape of Garni Gorge and Symphony of Stones. It should be mentioned that the Nature Protection Ministry has put forward a clear condition in its environmental expertise opinion to preserve the attractiveness of Garni Gorge and not to obstacle tourism, as well as not to disturb the natural development and the ecosystem of Khosrov Forest State Reserve (as the water intake is designed in the conservation area) as the most important and special condition, to adhere to the environmental flow of 850 l/sec in the Azat River irregardless of water fullness in the river and irrigation volumes.”
February 25, 2015 at 14:21