EcoLur sent an inquiry to Hovhannes Hoveyan, Head of Martuni Community in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia, to find out how resolved the conflict between the community and the small hydroelectric power plant (SHPP) is.
The inquiry states:
"'Argichi' small hydroelectric power plant has been operational since 2013. Since then, residents of the affected communities of Verin Getashen, Nerkin Getashen, and Madina have complained about reduced irrigation water due to the SHPP’s operations, which has led to a decrease in agricultural activity. According to the Armenian law 'On the Fundamental Principles of the National Water Policy,' the use of water resources for drinking and irrigation purposes is prioritized over their use for energy production.
According to the water use permit (WUP) issued to Argichi SHPP (No. 000031), the plant is allowed to withdraw 50.1 million cubic meters of water annually from the Argichi River while leaving 1000 liters per second as the environmental flow. Per the WUP, the SHPP is not permitted to operate during August.
In 2020, the Environment Ministry informed EcoLur that the water left in the river after withdrawal by the SHPP amounts to 200-250 liters per second, which is significantly less than the required environmental flow set by the WUP. Additionally, EcoLur observed the SHPP operating in August despite lacking the permit to do so.
During a recent visit to Verin Getashen, EcoLur learned from residents that the HydroCorporation CJSC, which operates Argichi SHPP, has yet to compensate some residents for damages caused by the SHPP pipeline’s rupture, rendering arable lands unusable. The company has also not compensated for the pipeline and power lines passing through private lands.
In 2019, the former head of Verin Getashen stated in an EcoLur interview that 350 hectares of Verin Getashen's agricultural land had become non-irrigable due to the SHPP. A new pumping station was planned to make these 350 hectares irrigable, with funds intended to come from the HydroCorporation CJSC. In 2012, the HydroCorporation CJSC promised Verin Getashen a discharge flow of 400 liters per second in a 500-hectare area. With government assistance, Verin Getashen constructed a 3-kilometer-long pipeline at a cost of 110 million AMD. However, no water has flowed through the pipeline.
Dear Mr. Hoveyan,
Pursuant to Article 6 of RA Law "On Freedom of Information", we kindly request information on the following:
- How many hectares of arable land do the communities of Verin Getashen, Nerkin Getashen, and Madina have in Argichi SHPP impact zone, and how many hectares are currently cultivated?
- Are the 350 hectares of Verin Getashen’s agricultural land affected by the SHPP currently irrigated?
- Has a new pumping station been built to make these 350 hectares irrigable? Was the construction funded by HydroCorporation CJSC?
- Is the 110-million-AMD pipeline built for Verin Getashen with government support operational? If yes, how many hectares does it irrigate, and where?
- What steps has Martuni Municipality taken or is taking to restore damages caused by HydroCorporation CJSC to the residents of Verin Getashen?
- In Martuni, "Vardenik" SHPP, operated by Jrasahq LLC, allocates 10 million AMD annually for social-economic development programs in Vardenik. Until 2021, "Martuni" SHPP, operated by MKSHG Energy LLC, allocated up to 2 million AMD annually for similar programs. Has HydroCorporation CJSC implemented any social programs for Martuni? If yes, what programs?
- Are there any agreements between the community and Argichi SHPP to prevent water conflicts during the irrigation season?
Gegharkunik Regional Administration informed EcoLur that the issue of irrigation water in Nerkin Getashen would be fully resolved with the construction of Argichi Reservoir and the rehabilitation of Getashen Canal. Please indicate the current status of these projects."
The Municipality redirected the inquiry to Administrative Heads of Madina, Verin Getashen, and Nerkin Getashen.
Madina
The Administrative Head of Madina stated in a response letter:
"Madina has 95 hectares of irrigable household lands, of which 32 hectares are currently cultivated. The reason is water scarcity. We also inform you that HydroCorporation CJSC has not compensated some residents for the pipeline and power lines passing through their private lands. No social programs have been implemented in Madina by HydroCorporation CJSC."
Nerkin Getashen
The Administrative Head of Nerkin Getashen responded:
"Due to the Argichi SHPP, 90 hectares of agricultural land in the Aghlners area of Nerkin Getashen, located under the Getashen Canal, have become non-irrigable. These lands will become irrigable once the Argichi Reservoir is constructed and the Getashen Canal is rehabilitated.
To avoid water conflicts during the irrigation season, it was agreed to reduce the water flow to the SHPP from July 10 to September 10."
Verin Getashen
The Administrative Head of Verin Getashen stated:
"Verin Getashen has a total of 8710 hectares of arable land, of which 563 hectares are currently cultivated. Due to Argichi SHPP, 42 hectares of the 350 hectares of affected land are currently irrigated. No new pumping station has been built. The promised 400-liter-per-second discharge flow has not been constructed. Of the 3-kilometer pipeline funded by the government at 110 million AMD, only 1700 meters are operational, irrigating approximately 12 hectares.
The SHPP's power transmission poles cross 10-12 privately owned plots, and the pipeline crosses 8 plots. Compensation was provided to owners based on agreements, but we have no specific information regarding servitude agreements. All owners affected by pipeline failures have been compensated, and there are no unusable plots of land.
HydroCorporation has not implemented any social programs in the village.
Every year, starting July 10, water flows at 250 liters per second through the SHPP pipeline to N1 and N2 pumping stations, while the rest flows through the riverbed to gravity pipelines for irrigation in the village. Water is provided by Martuni WUA. Some years, it is sufficient; other years, it is not."
The article was produced with the financial support of the Media Initiatives Center within the framework of "Expanding Production of Independent Content" grant project.
November 30, 2024 at 11:02