EcoLur
In the framework of "Support to the Reforms of SHPPs for the Purpose of Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems Through Dialogue Between the Public and the RA Ministry of Nature Protection" project the experts of EcoLur visited "Goght 1", and "Goght 2" SHPPs. These hydroelectric power stations are situated in the administrative area of Goght community in Kotayk region. They are built on the stream Goght of the River Azat which waters Goght community.
Both of the SHPPs are included in the irrigation system of the community. As the founder of "Jaghatsi Dzor" CJSC Markos Gharibyan ensures after building the pipeline the annual irrigation lands get increased.
"When we intended to construct the SHPPs we did a series of other works connected with the village, irrigation and drinking water and those works are continuing until now. When we initiated the construction we installed about 3 km of mother pipes", said Markos Gharibyan.
Artavazd Hakobyan, the Mayor of Goght community ensures that due to the construction of the SHPPs the community gets several times more water than before.
The residents of the community refused to speak before the camera but said that there is a problem of delivering water unfairly. But the claims are mainly directed to the activity of Water using company which violates the rights of small farmers.
Whenever WUC has to gather money it releases water at that time. Those torrents don't reach to the people, they go to the SHPPs. There is a lack of water and it is sold to people at a very high price.
"In my opinion there isn't a lack of water in Goght. 705 ha of land is irrigated, 550-600 ha is gardens. If a resident of Goght says that they watered abundantly before, watered 180 ha, now they water 620 ha", said the Mayor of Goght community.
Besides the residents who use water to irrigate their gardens and backyards, main water users are two large greenhouses. One of them occupies 8.5 ha of area for growing roses, the other is 10.5 ha for growing cucumbers and tomatoes.
July 30, 2015 at 11:07