Decline in yield, livestock, household income, soil degradation: Goghtanik settlement of Yeghegis community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia, faced these problems due to climate change and lack of preventive measures.
EcoLur team held a meeting with active residents of Goghtanik community and representatives of the municipality to discuss the project of the information module developed by EcoLur "Problems and proposed measures of implementation of green energy and climate resilience policy in Yeghegis community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia".
The purpose of the document is to contribute to the full involvement of the community and the protection of its interests in the decision-making process regarding state policies in the climate and energy sectors, to support the social, ecological and economic development of the community to achieve climate justice and reduce energy poverty.
Goghtanik village is located in the valley of the Yeghegis River, it has about 200 inhabitants. People here are traditionally engaged in farming, animal husbandry, and beekeeping. The scarcity of water in the Yeghegis river basin affects agriculture.
"This year, several springs have dried up, several districts have no water. I think the reason is global warming. Last year, there was little snow, the rains were also less, it was a drought. We have a lot of arid lands. We need a reservoir to solve the water issue," Artush Tumanyan, Administrative Head of Goghtanik settlement, told EcoLur.
According to him, the problem with the water is also due to the operation of small hydropower plants.
"...cattle milk productivity has decreased due to lack of water. We almost can’t collect any milk. ... Beekeeping is also affected. People don't get benefits, costs prevail", Goghtanik Administrative Head said.
According to Artush Tumanyan, Goghtanik can develop if there is a good road and tourist infrastructure. "We have Murad mountain, we have a waterfall and beautiful nature. Guest houses should be built for tourism. We can also develop solar energy, there is always sun here," Goghtanik Administrative Head noted.
EcoLur studies have shown that the water problem is characteristic of the entire Yeghegis community and is related to climate change and the operation of SHPPs. By losing sources, people lose the opportunity to live comfortably, lose their sources of income and recreation areas.
"EcoLur" Informational NGO’s module entitled "Problems and measures of implementation of "green" energy and climate resilience policy in Yeghegis community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia" was developed with the funding of "EU4Climate" regional program with the support of the UNDP/GEF "Impacted communities and civil society organizations as participants in the introduction of socio-ecological culture in the energy and climate change policies of Armenia" Small Grants Programme.
October 05, 2023 at 13:44