ARMENIAN ENVIRONMENTALISTS CALL FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF NATURE
Siranuysh Gevorgyan

ArmeniaNow reporter
04.05.10

Environmentalists say Armenia’s biodiversity is periodically damaged
by human factor

Armenian environmentalists say that control is not properly taken
over special protected areas in Armenia, and their biodiversity is
periodically damaged by human factor, affecting three state preserves,
four national parks and 27 nature preserves.

At a press conference on Tuesday, May 4, Karine Danielyan, Chairwoman
of the For Sustainable Human Development NGO, says that "protection"
is an "imitation" in the areas. She points at the increase in flora
and fauna species in the Red Book of Endangered Species of Armenia,
as well as cases of active exploitation of the protected areas.

"For example, the Government of Armenia provided permission to
exploit uranium mines in Syunik province. Of course, the mine is not
in a special protected area, but it is near the area, and the whole
negative effect [of the exploitation process] goes to the special
protected area," Danielyan says.

Aram Aghasyan, head of the department of specially protected areas,
Bio-resources Management Agency under the Ministry of Nature
Protection, says that in Syunik province, where Shikahogh State
Preserve is also located, research works are held only in uranium
mines to check the uranium reserves; and those examinations are
not dangerous.

(According to the examinations held during the Soviet period, the
uranium reserve in Armenia was 30,000 tons.)

Aghasyan also states that increase in flora and fauna species in the
Red Book of Endangered Species of Armenia is registered also because
new researches have been held resulting in discovery of previously
unknown plants and animals, rare species, which are also included in
the Red Book now.

Aghasyan agrees that active mining industry and its wastes damage
biodiversity of special protected areas, however, he also states that
the reason for damage of the biodiversity is also the reduction in
natural habitats for animals and plants.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress