Debed settlement is located at the foot of Gugark forests, which was consolidated into Pambak community in 2021. The traditional occupation of the locals is agriculture and animal husbandry. In theirconversation with EcoLur, Debed residents said that frequent sudden changes in weather, lack of water and drought threaten their agricultural activities and incomes.
The problems were presented by Debed Administrative Head Anush Sargsyan, "The climate and weather conditions have worsened a lot. The amount of water in our beautiful Hankadzor River (Alarex) has decreased. The problem with drinking water is important: scarcity of water has started to be observed in the springs. We can also eye witness land degradation," Anush Sargsyan noted.
"The temperature even reaches 40 degrees, there is a lack of water, there are many dry seasons. First it rains well, then suddenly it gets hot," said Karine Nazlukhanyan, second-class specialist of Pambak Municipality, Operator of Debed Administrative Center.
Sudden weather changes affect the health of residents. "We had two cases of heart attack in the mountains because of these sharp fluctuations," Anush Sargsyan outlined.
The village does not have an irrigation network. Residents irrigate their gardens with drinking water, which is not enough.
Affordable heating is one of the problems of Debed near the forest. The village is gasified, but there is dependence on timber, which is already not enough.
Anush Sargsyan mentioned that there is a desire to develop solar energy. "If you look at the village from the high ground, you will see poor, dilapidated houses. There is a problem of thermal insulation and replacement of roofs. For the development of solar energy, we need support and a change in people's mindset. It is planned to install a solar plant on the roof of administrative building within the framework of LILA project." Anush Sargsyan outlined. "Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia" (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It is implemented by WWF Armenia together with “Strategic Development Agency” NGO.
"It would also be good for the community to have its own solar plant," Karine Nazlukhanyan noted.
Tourism is one of the developing directions in the village. There is also a desire to develop ecotourism and agrotourism. "I think rural tourism will also develop excellently if the problem of access to the market is solved," Administrative Head said.
Tourism is one of the developing directions in the village. There is also a desire to develop ecotourism and agrotourism. "I think rural tourism will also develop excellently if the problem of access to the market is solved," Administrative Head noted.
"COAF (note: Children of Armenia Charity Fund) has created many jobs in the village. In the last 2 years, 9 guesthouses have been opened, 80 percent of women have jobs at the expense of these guesthouses. We can also observe development of tourism, the village has good nature, historical and cultural monuments", said Karine Nazlukhanyan.
March 07, 2024 at 15:41