EcoLur
EcoLur received an alarm signal from Jermuk. According to the observations of local activists, the riverbed has already been changes on the spot of constructing a small HPP on Arpa River. “People came on 5-6 cars, they changed the landscape of river and removes stones, while river banks were narrowed at the expense of earth fills. Trees there have already been cut down.”
As Tehmine Yenoqyan writes in “EcoLur” blog, as a journalist she has applied to Nature Protection Ministry via hotline, where she received the answer to “apply to Cadastre of Water Resources.” Then the Cadastre said, “send an official letter and we will reply to it. But probably have the right and permits, if the construction has already been launched.” She again called Nature Protection Ministry via hotline and asked to record a signal alarm, where she was answered, “We will make Environmental Inspection in Vayots Dzor Region aware of your alarm signal and they will find out what is going on.” Head of Territorial Inspection of Vayots Dzor Region Vahik Grirgoryan said, “I don’t remember the name of certain organization, as there are many. But five years ago, this program was confirmed, just it is carried out now. The construction is carried out not on the territory of hydrological wildlife preserve. He also promised to clarify the situation.”
From EcoLur we would like to add, if any activity having been issued the positive opinion of environmental impact assessment is not carried out within one year, is considered to be invalid. This is what Nature Protection Ministry and Environmental Inspection should draw attention to.
Photo by Makedon Aleksanyan
July 03, 2012 at 14:38