Socio-ecological policy will be developed for Sisian and Goris communities. Social and Ecological Consortium will develop the policy with the support of local governments and the population within the framework of "Social and Ecological Responsibility" project.
In July-August 2021, “New Horizons” NGO, a member of Social and Ecological Consortium, held meetings in Goris, Sisian and Qarahunj with the participation of local residents, local authorities, civil society and the business sector. The purpose and expectations of the Project, the impact of the Project on community development were presented.
During the meetings, the locals spoke about the environmental problems in their settlements due to the operation of small hydropower plants, the lack of irrigation water, pollution with household waste, and tree felling. They mentioned the impact of businesses on the community, the gaps in environmental education. The residents expressed their concern that a state policy aimed at increasing the volume of the mining industry is being pursued.
The residents suggested making the dialogue with the Government effective in order to solve the problems of the community, to have a socially developed and ecologically clean community.
Referring to the business-community relations, the residents noted that business participation in the community is low, as there are no measures or decisions by the local government that will involve the business in the development of the community. Residents valued the importance of compensations in case HPPs operating in the communities damage the environment and the community. A suggestion was tabled that tourism companies pay taxes to the community to protect the environment, as the flow of tourists and their activities contribute to the increase of pollution in the community.
As components to be included in the social and environmental policy, the residents singled out the problems of river pollution with waste and sewage, stray dogs, waste recycling, large-scale deforestation for construction of hydroelectric power plants, irrigation water, finding alternatives to fuelwood and obstructing green business development in the community by the mining.
The residents expressed their readiness to participate in the further development of Socio-Environmental Policy, active groups were formed for this purpose.
“Social and Ecological Responsibility” project is implemented in the partnership of “Center for Community Mobilization and Support”, “Martuni Women’s Community Council”, “New Horizons”, “EcoLur” and “Forests of Armenia” NGOs within the frameworks of Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project.
The Data for Accountable and Transparent Action (DATA) project is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of DATA Project are the sole responsibility of “Community Mobilization and Support Center” NGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, EPF, and DATA Consortium.
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Photo Credit: "New Horizons"
August 17, 2021 at 14:22