EcoLur
After the launch of copper and molybdenum mining till now around 223.2 ha forest has been felled down, out of which 562 ha forest has been planted, out of which 31 ha has been planted in the orchard-planting frames. The average root taking of the planted forest made up 61% according to the fall inventory data. Reforestation works have been carried out in Teghout, Shnogh, Odzun, Lernahovit, Arjut communities in Lori Region and in the land areas owned by 'ArmForest' SNCO. The orchard-planting program is implemented in the land areas of Shnogh Community, Lori Region, as Vallex Group Information and Public Relations Department informed EcoLur in writing in reply to EcoLur's letter.
Under the Teghout project, 357 ha forest shall be felled down and instead 714 ha forest should be planted. Nevertheless, on 4 August 2015 RA Nature Protection Minister Aramayis Grigoryan and RA Agriculture Minister Sergo Karape tyan signed a joint decree, which allowed 'Teghout' CJSC to plant orchards in the area of 180 ha in Shnogh and Teghout communities, which the specialists consider to be a project deviation.
On the other hand, the use of the agro products grown in the area polluted with heavy metals is very hazardous to human health. According to the certificate issued by 'Environmental Impact Monitoring and Information Center' SNCO of RA Nature Protection Ministry in the third trimester of 2017, the Debed and Shnogh River, which is used for irrigation by Teghout and Shnogh villagers, have the highest level of pollution, category 5. The local agricultural land areas have also been polluted – the concentration of copper, cadmium, arsenic, and zinc in the land area is higher than the standard.
January 26, 2018 at 17:29