EcoLur
As the Aarhus Center in Gavar informed EcoLur, on 19 July at 10:30 a.m. more than 500 residents from 6 villages in Gegharkounik Region blocked the Sevan highway running to Martouni.The reason for this protest demonstration is the construction of a small hydropower plant on the Argitchi River that must collect water from the biggest river flowing into Sevan.
“Zangezour Eximp” LLC is illegally conducting the civil works of a small hydropower plant on the Argitchi River though the permit issued to this company says it is entitled to conduct civil works only on the tributary of the Eghegis River in Kapuyt Berd, while the civil works on the Argitchi River are illegal.
The Nature Protection Ministry’s reply to EcoLur’s enquiry numbered 5/11.1/513228.10 says the civil works in Gegharkounik Region are stopped. After the State Environmental Inspection examines the case circumstances, the will inform about measures to be taken.
Under our information, the civil works are stopped only in the territory of Gegharkounik Region where two dams are factually ready. At present civil works are in full progress in the territory of Vayots Dzor where only one pipe is left to be laid through.
July 20, 2010