Destructions in Trchkan Already Obvious (Photos)

EcoLur

The ecological situation in the territory of Trchkan waterfall is getting worse. Specialists and independent experts share this opinion of environmentalists and young activists. On October 22 WWF experts joined Trchkan Waterfall Support Group to examine the situation on the spot.

“We began to track the situation in the whole ecosystem, far from Trchkan waterfall – beginning from the river gorge and mountain slopes, and above at the height of over 1700 meters.  We made video recording, which clearly shows how water is reduced in the area of water intake. In fact, the river almost doesn’t exist. Even in this season it’s just a tiny brook. Now it’s planned to construct another water intake 1 km far from Trchkan and to build a dam. Even now it’s clear on the spot of new HPP construction that embankment of the river banks has changed its course,” said WWF-Armenia Director Karen Manvelyan.

He outlines that Trchkan is not just a waterfall, just water mass falling down. This is living and complete ecosystem, which needs water along all its stretch. This is both a waterfall, and a gorge, and rivers and beautiful landscapes. Forest stretches along the whole western slope of the gorge. There is also an aspen grove there, which is a rare species for Armenia, as we have only two such groves. If another small hydropower plant starts operating, the forest can dry up in several months. According to our information, you can see roes and bears in this area. These species will also get extinct, if we destroy this ecosystem,” Manvelyan said.

He expressed his concern in regard with the fate of Trchkan. “The builders have already began harming the ecosystem despite mass public protest demonstrations. What will happen, if these demonstrations die down, and the fate of Trchkan will be only at the discretion of the company?” said Manvelyan and added, “One thing is obvious for us: the construction must b stopped, laws-complied with and leave Trchkan alone.”

Photos by WWF-Armenia Director Karen Manvelyan

October 25, 2011 at 12:28