Haykuhi Barseghyan, www.ankakh.com
A small HPP is being constructed near Verin Getashen Village, on the Argitchi River…The construction is going at high rates… Residents accidentally learned about the construction. No public hearings were conducted in their villages, even the Aldermen’s council of Verin Getashen Village didn’t know about the construction and that their community turned out to approve the project. In the process S.O.S. Argitchi initiative group and EcoLur NGO applied to Nature Protection Ministry and First Deputy Nature Protection Minister Simon Papyan promised to send an inspection for examination. After two months the editorial office of the “Ankakh” newspaper tried to find out what the inspection had revealed.
According to Gavar Aarhus Center Coordinator Liana Asoyan, this delay is understandable, as they will drag this affair unless the company obtains permitting documents.
EcoLur and Gavar Aarhus Center found out that “Hydrocorporation” company which constructs the HPP has its documents expired, which are dated in 2005. On 19 July the government applied to the National Assembly of Armenia to make amendments in RA Law “On Sevan” by banning construction of small HPPs onto rivers flowing into Sevan, where endemic fish species spawn.
This time villagers don’t oppose to the construction, as they were promised that they would pay 15 AMD for electricity and 15 people will be employed.
September 11, 2012 at 18:03