YEREVAN, Armenia, June 8 /PRNewswire/ — Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus which historically had forest cover of 40-45 percent, is today at perilous risk of becoming completely deforested. Current estimates place forest cover at around eight percent, and at current rates of cutting, the last of the forests could be gone in as little as 20 years.
Despite this, the Armenian government recently announced plans to build a highway in the southern part of the country right through the middle of the old growth Mtnadzor (Dark Canyon) forest, which occupies about half of the Shikahogh nature reserve, one of only three pristine reserves in the country.
According to reports, the plans call for cutting at least 14,000 old growth trees and 90,000 younger ones. The Shikahogh reserve, established in 1958, is home to innumerable rare and endangered plant and animal species, including up to 12 leopards, whose habitats would be gravely threatened by the road’s construction.
A coalition including Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Forests NGO, World Wildlife Fund, and Armenian Assembly of America have been working together to identify viable alternatives to the proposed route and put a stop to the plan to begin immediate construction until public hearings are held.
ATP founder Carolyn Mugar has sent a letter about the issue to the President of Armenia, Minister of Nature Protection, Minister of Transportation, and other high-ranking officials. “The Shikahogh forest reserve provides unique habitats for many rare and endangered plants and animals whose survival depends upon the government’s responsible stewardship. We call on you to protect this reserve for the sake of future generations of Armenians and the world’s ecosystem,” wrote Ms. Mugar.
The Armenian government has cited “strategic” reasons for choosing the route through the reserve, but hasn’t provided adequate justification for the plan, which would violate numerous national laws and internationally signed treatises to protect such nature preserves.
To date, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Defense have stated their intention to move forward with construction plans. In response, the Minister of Nature Protection announced his intention to resign if the road is constructed through the reserve. This stated determination to ignore alternative routes has led many to question the true motivation for the government’s plan, given the monetary value of the oak trees from the old growth forest that will be destroyed.
“The construction of the proposed road through the preserve will introduce pollution from passing vehicles into this almost pristine forest, destroy the habitat for rare wildlife and migratory paths, and attract illegal logging, depriving future generations of Armenians of an irreplaceable resource. The encroachment by illegal loggers has already destroyed much of Armenia’s forests during the past decade,” added the ATP founder in her letter.
“[If Armenia’s government] does not demonstrate responsible management of its natural and historical heritage, it weakens its ability to protect Armenia from the impact of destructive policies in neighboring countries. Any gains that may be realized by building this road through the preserve will be far outweighed by the long-term environmental and political damage that Armenia will suffer. We most urgently ask you to consider an alternative route,” concluded Ms. Mugar in her appeal.
Note for editors: Photos of Shikahogh nature reserve and rare leopard photographed this year in southern Armenia are available. Contact ATP office or visit Web site http://www.armeniatree.org.
ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
Jason Sohigian
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 926-8733
Email: info@armeniatree.org
Web: http://www.armeniatree.org
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