This Is How They Achieved Whatever Wanted: Nobody Struggling Against SHP Constructed on Argitchi River

EcoLur

In 2010 when "Zangezour Eximp" company started an illegal construction of SHP on Gayladzor, a tributary to the biggest river flowing into Lake Sevan, the public protested.
Five communities of Gegharkounik Region, environmentalists, “Heritage” faction deputies and NGOs stood up in support of the river. The reason was that Verin Getashen, Nerqin Getashen, Madina, Geghhovit and Vaghashen communities with their 30,000 population were under the threat of remaining without water. The natural recovery of Lake Sevan endemic fish species was also endangered. Due to the public campaign the illegal construction of the SHP was suspended and the riverbed of Gayladzor was not changed. Nevertheless, much worse things happen: without holding any public hearings and asking for the opinion of the affected communities “Hydrocorporation” LLC started constructing a SHP not on the tributary of the Argitchi River, but on the river itself having an expired water usage permit for 2012. “It turns out that we stopped not the construction of a SHP, but the construction of a SHP by a certain individual, because now a SHP is being constructed in the lower part of the river. So what, there is not spawning, river don’t swim up the river of the river doesn’t flow into Lake Sevan any longer?” said Martuni Women Community Council Chairman Anahit Gevorgyan.
“Individuals use the whole river with its capacities to construct a SHP and to get energy…I have observed such plastic pipes in the whole Armenia with a diameter of 1700 mm. Laying such pipes may result in drying up the area thus destroying both the flora and fauna,” said “SOS Argitchi” initiative group member Vardan Galstyan. If earlier the locals used to struggle for their water, now there is complete indifference. “Who are they to come and to construct a SHP on the water belonging to people and to produce energy? How will people water their orchards? Everybody pursues their interests: we are not a nation or a tribe or a nomad. Who are we? Who should listen to us?” said Verin Getashen villagers. People get angry and don’t fight any longer. Most of them just leave their houses, as it’s not profitable to deal with agriculture. These circumstances, as well exercise of pressure by the police make people not fight any longer, “Today, this lack of activity also results in agricultural products being valueless and many land areas being uncultivated: produces potatoes and cabbage are not sold. Civic activity drastically reduced, as the police investigate the member of the “SOS Argitchi” initiative group for their last campaign. People naturally avoid the police, and I can say we are not protected. Under any circumstance, a case can be initiated and people will be ehld liable,” Vardan Galstyan said.

April 05, 2013 at 16:33