ArmInfo
The statement by the Nature Protection Ministry of Armenia that construction of the hydro-power plant on the Argitchi River did not damag the ecosystem of Lake Sevan does not correspond to reality, Head of Ecolur NGO Inga Zarafyan told ArmInfo.
"Nature Protection Inspectorate was to evaluate the damaged caused and provide a relevant act to the Prosecutor's Office. However, the Inspectorate declare that no damage was caused, which does not correspond to reality," Zarafyan said.
She recalled that in 2010 the HPP construction was recognized illegal by certain authoritative structures. She said that the Prosecutor's Office and the Nature Protection Ministry are responsible for the fact that the illegally built HPP was not dismantled. These structures hesitate to do a resolute step. When the scandal around Argitchi was at in full swing rumors were disseminated that besides electric power generation, smooth water would be exported.
"Everything related to water is extremely important for Armenia. Pumping water to enrich someone is not a policy but a real plunder,' I. Zarafyan said.
Scandal with small hydro power plant construction on the River Argichi broke out in summer 2010. This construction started on the basis of a permit for land irrigation belonging to Aghnjadzor Community in Vayots Dzor. Everything would be O.K., but the permit did expire in fall 2009 that makes this construction illegal. Another fact also causes bewilderment: these "sirs" intend to leave already 7.000 ha of land area belonging to five communities in Gegharkounik region such as Geghovit, Madina, Vaghashen, Nerkin Getashen and Verin Getashen without water for the sake of irrigating 71 ha of land area in Aghnjadzor. After the construction of the HPP grew into a scandal, the Nature Protection Ministry officially declared that the construction was illegal.
January 19, 2011