Author: Emil Lazarian

Amid constant border tensions and attacks on Armenian territory, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) realizes the critical importance of staying collected in the face of extreme provocation and continuing our mission to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment.

This fall, ATP’s forestry division plans to plant 400,000 trees over 110 hectares in the villages and communities of Mets Sariar, Lerakert, Lernanist and Urasar located in Armenia’s northern regions of Shirak, Kotayk and Lori.

ATP forest in Lori

In addition to environmental benefits, ATP strives to provide economic independence to local residents. The women and men who lead the planting of these trees are all from adjacent communities. This fall, around 125 seasonal workers will be hired to plant the forests.

When it comes to selecting trees for forest plantings, it is essential to pick the right kinds of trees. Therefore, our specialists try to introduce only native species, including rare and endangered varieties whenever possible and cultivate a mix of species, as is found naturally. The main types of trees found in Armenia’s forests are pine, maple, oak, birch, as well as wild apple and pear.

The territories selected for afforestation are degraded agricultural lands largely due to climate change and extreme grazing over the course of several decades. To prevent the further degradation of these lands, local officials obtain consent from the residents and designate the areas for forest plantings. 

ATP conducts its own site investigations to determine if the area is suitable for forest planting. After that, an independent body is hired to prepare The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which ensures that decision-makers have various data points, certified and independently reviewed when deciding whether or not to proceed with a proposed forestry project. Following the report, a public hearing is announced for ATP to address the community directly.

Two of ATP’s forest sites located in Mets Sariar and Lernakert villages are in the region of Shirak, which is considered the poorest in Armenia. Unemployment, the closure of local small businesses and the pandemic have made the socioeconomic situation dire.

The village of Lernakert, one of Shirak’s most vulnerable communities, is nestled in the mountains – quite far from the urban hustle and bustle of larger nearby villages. Located on the western slope of Mount Aragats, it is 10 kilometers south of the town of Artik and 35 kilometers from the provincial capital of Gyumri. The mountain life in the village is relatively quiet, particularly in Lernakert. The community was established in 1840 and was originally inhabited by refugees from Mush and Alashkert. Today, Lernakert has a population of around 1,500 people, making it one of the largest villages in the region. The village houses a culture house, a kindergarten, a medical center, a community center and a secondary school. 

In addition, this year ATP has undertaken planting in another two forest sites, which include Urasar village in Lori region and Lernanist in Kotayk region. ATP is proud to assist in revitalizing Armenia’s communities. For years, ATP’s Community Tree Planting (CTP) Program has implemented different planting projects in many rural villages across Armenia, which have included the distribution of fruit and decorative trees to local families, as well as establishing small community forests. 

Since 1994, ATP has been using trees to improve the standard of living in Armenia and Artsakh, focusing on aiding those with the fewest resources. Planting forests in these communities leads not only to clean air, the preservation of groundwater and less dust, but it also creates new employment opportunities. ATP has hired hundreds of seasonal workers every year to support its spring and fall fundraising plantings. To date, ATP has established over 1,200 hectares of new forest, improving and preserving Armenia’s environment and providing economic opportunities to many rural villagers who work for ATP during planting seasons.

Republic of Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan offering the keynote address at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence.

WASHINGTON, DC – Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan affirmed the resilience and resolve of the Artsakh Republic’s indigenous Armenian population – defending their right to liberty and security – in powerful remarks offered to a capacity crowd of Congressional leaders and community members gathered at the US Capitol, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We face existential threats. Any minute, the enemy can launch large-scale attacks – a genocide. Every minute,” stated Babayan, who characterized President Aliyev’s aggression as “an attack on civilization – on international norms and laws.” Babayan reaffirmed Artsakh’s commitment to self-determination and freedom. “Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan – I would like to restate that,” remarked Babayan to thunderous applause. “We are going to continue our struggle because we are struggling not only for our future – we are struggling for our past; we are struggling for our present and future. We are struggling for humanity.”

ANCA executive director and master of ceremonies for the evening Aram Hamparian welcomed attendees on a “momentous occasion – a pivotal moment of our history.” Juxtaposing US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s historic trip to Armenia and Foreign Minister Babayan’s trip to Washington, DC, Hamparian stated, “These two visits bookend a very important moment, and they demonstrate that the Armenian American community has the back of Artsakh, has the back of Armenia – that the people of Armenia are not alone.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence

Hamparian went on to stress that, “we would like to see [Babayan’s] visit and Speaker Pelosi’s visit translated into policy – not a penny of US military aid to Azerbaijan; robust US assistance to Artsakh; the return of our prisoners; and investigations of Azerbaijani war crimes.”

The evening featured remarks by members of Congress condemning Azerbaijan’s most recent attack on Armenia and the 2020 Artsakh War, each echoing Hamparian’s calls for concrete action.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) offering remarks at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), who traveled to Artsakh in 2019, explained that prior to the 2020 war, Armenians were thriving in Artsakh. That trip and sentiment have gotten Rep. Chu banned from Azerbaijan – a fact she holds as a “badge of honor.” “It makes me want to speak out even more for the peaceful people of Artsakh and Armenia,” stated Rep. Chu, who described these latest attacks on Armenia as “yet another attack on the ideas of self-determination, democracy and freedom – and we must fight back. There must be no more American assistance to Azerbaijan, and further violence must result in sanctions.”

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) offering remarks at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence

Central Valley Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) who spoke eloquently about Speaker Pelosi’s trip to Armenia, noted that Azerbaijan has clearly no interest in complying with international norms and “we must hold them accountable.”

House Committee on Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) offering remarks at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence.

House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated that “it is absolutely essential that the US speaks unequivocally about this naked war of aggression by Azerbaijan, by Aliyev, directed against the Armenian people. It is pre-meditated, it is just plain bloody murder – and it has to be stopped.” Chairman Schiff introduced legislation (H.Res.1351) which condemns the latest Azerbaijani attacks, and calls for zeroing out military aid to Azerbaijan. Chairman Schiff is also looking into Azerbaijan sanctions for war crimes committed against the Armenian people.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) offering remarks at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence

Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who accompanied Speaker Pelosi and Armenian American Representatives Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to Armenia, explained that an overarching goal of the trip was to ensure “Armenia continues to be independent, and Artsakh is part of that.” Rep. Pallone described their goals for the trip: “One was to say this was aggression by Azerbaijan and that they have to pull back. They need to remove themselves from Armenian soil.” Rep. Pallone continued, “We have to be involved their [Armenia’s] security. We need to be sure they can defend themselves. We were quite clear that the self-determination of Artsakh is a priority. The trip was very valuable, and we made it clear to the Armenians, that we have their backs.”

Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) offering remarks at the Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence

Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) explained, “From a very young age in politics, I learned about the struggle of the Armenian people and particularly Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh). I will continue to be a strong advocate for Armenia, a strong advocate for this [Armenian] community.”

The Congressional program was opened with a prayer by Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian of Soorp Khatch Armenian Church who noted, “In this momentous turning point in the continued survival of this tiny landlocked nation, we pray for justice and your protection and guidance and for your abundant grace so that the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh with continue to stand side by side with the other free, democratic and progressive nations of the world. We also pray for a just resolution for the people of Artsakh, as well as pray for the prisoners of war captured by Azerbaijan during the 44-day war of 2020 and have yet to be released.” The program closed with a benediction by Fr. Hovsep Karapetian of St. Mary’s Armenian Church.

The Capitol Hill Salute to Artsakh’s Independence coincided with the third day of the ANCA Federal Policy Seminar. Earlier in the day, ANCA advocates from across the US were on Capitol Hill sharing pro-Artsakh/Armenia legislative priorities, participating in over 200 Congressional meetings. The four-day fly-in to Washington, DC included a series of presentations, roundtable discussions and Capitol Hill visits for ANCA leaders, with a sharp focus on advancing ANCA strategic priorities: saving Artsakh, strengthening Armenia, holding Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for their crimes.

The evening program, organized in cooperation with the Congressional Armenian Caucus by the ANCA and the Armenian Assembly of America, included remarks by Assembly board member Herman Purutyan and the participation of executive director Bryan Ardouny.

The event was live-streamed on the ANCA’s Facebook page.

Renaissance Square, Stepanakert, September 14 (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

STEPANAKERT, Artsakh — Union. Struggle. Victory. These have been the calls in Renaissance Square in Stepanakert, where spontaneous rallies have been taking place for several days following Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s comments in the National Assembly. Thousands took to the streets in Yerevan and Stepanakert after the Prime Minister made contradictory statements on his readiness to sign another agreement with Azerbaijan that could brand him a “traitor.”

His comments followed the deadliest week of fighting in the region since the 2020 Artsakh War, as Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces unleashed a large-scale attack on the Armenian cities of Goris, Vardenis and Jermuk, using drones and heavy artillery. The death toll on the Armenian side stands at 135. 

On September 14, thousands of citizens demanded to abstain from signing a document that would annex Artsakh to Azerbaijan. In the following days, professors, students and even schoolchildren from various institutions and educational programs, as well as ordinary citizens joined the protest. Artsakh’s National Assembly president Artur Tovmasyan, parliamentarians and government representatives also participated.

Artsakh’s National Assembly president Artur Tovmasyan (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Meanwhile, Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan traveled to Yerevan, where he participated in a Security Council meeting. He asserted that no document related to the status of Artsakh was discussed. The head of the parliament informed the demonstration participants that “Artsakh was, is and will be Armenian.” He stated that no one, including Prime Minister Pashinyan, is authorized to settle the question of determining Artsakh’s status without considering the people of Artsakh. 

National Assembly member and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) secretary Vahram Balayan also joined the demonstrations. According to Balayan, the Artsakh Armenians have achieved their goals through joint efforts. He said that issues of national importance can be achieved through unity and that these ongoing demonstrations exemplify those desires. The problem, he said, is that Azerbaijan seeks not only to occupy Artsakh, but in this case attack and occupy territories from the internationally recognized Republic of Armenia. Balayan believes that Artsakh Armenians cannot remain indifferent to the events taking place in Armenia and that they must protest and appeal to the international community. “This is not just a matter of territories. We are a nation that has experienced genocide, and today the threat of extermination hangs over our heads again like the ‘sword of Damocles.’ We are trying to fight against it with all possible and impossible means. These demonstrations are for our rights and freedoms,” he stressed.

Before the large-scale attack on Armenia by Azerbaijan, political activist Tigran Petrosyan and his supporters had already been protesting in the main square of Stepanakert for 20 days. They had been demanding reforms in Artsakh. Now, Petrosyan says these are dire times and that we should put aside internal issues and take steps to save the motherland. “We must appeal to the international community,” he urged. “Our struggle today is for self-determination; just as other nations have that right, so do the people of Artsakh. We also prove with this multi-thousand gathering that we are not 30-thousand, as Aliyev says, but 100-thousand and more.”

Renaissance Square, Stepanakert, September 14 (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Melania Babayan is a professor of Armenian history at Artsakh State University and works as an adviser to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. She says that the threat to the motherland forces us not to remain indifferent and that any citizen concerned about the fate of the motherland should be participating. Babayan says now is the time for us to plan for our future and save our motherland. “Seeing the concern in the eyes of my students, I came with them and joined the rally,” she shared. “This is a self-defense move. The Armenian people have endured arduous times. After the Armenian Genocide, we built a state, and I believe that now we must stand up and save the homeland.”

Renaissance Square, Stepanakert, September 15 (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Haykush is a mother of three from Shushi. Her youngest daughter was born on November 9, 2020, the last day of the 44-day war. Haykush says her daughter was born on the day when they decided to hand over her house to the enemy. “I’m here because I don’t want to lose this small part of the motherland saved by the blood of our sons. My decision to participate is also aimed at the international community, which is openly revealing indifference, pretending to be deaf and dumb, as if they don’t want to notice Azerbaijan’s aggression,” she said.

Haykush (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Ania is a 78-year-old woman from Hadrut. Her husband was killed during the first war. Her grandson was serving on the frontlines of these latest attacks. “We left everything. I watered my garden and left, confident that I would return. Now the Azerbaijanis have demolished my son’s house and built a road right over the house. I came here with the hope of peace, with the hope of going back to our house.”

Ania (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Artsiv Lalayan is an artist from Hadrut, who left his brush during the 2nd Artsakh War and defended the motherland on the front line. Now, he is protesting in Renaissance Square because not only a small part of Artsakh, but Armenia itself, is at risk. “This rally is for our self-determination, and if Nikol Pashinyan is going to question our right to self-determination, then this is also a fight against him,” said Lalayan. “Today the borders of Artsakh are threatened, and I cannot trust Azerbaijan. I cannot think that it is possible to live with them. I will believe only if they leave all our occupied lands and if I can go back to my home. I trust only 10 million Armenians.”

Artsiv Lalayan and Mher Arakelyan (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

Lalayan’s friend Mher Arakelyan is a repatriate. He used to live in Kovsakan, but after it was occupied during the 2020 war, he moved to Askeran and the village of Hovtashen. He was brought to Renaissance Square by the inspiration prevailing here, the idea of unity and the will of the people of Artsakh to live in their homeland. “There is an Artsakh citizen; there is an Artsakh. There is no Artsakh citizen; there will be no Artsakh. Today, there are no Armenians living in Nakhichevan. That’s why we lost. The decisive factor is not even victory or defeat. We have to create it by all means with economic privileges, social justice and legitimate power, but the main thing is to instill will in the people,” explained Arakelyan. In order to do all that, Arakelyan continued, “every Armenian should start with himself and stay in his homeland, regardless of who is in power, even if we have to live with the enemy. You will also have a homeland.”

A prayer service at the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)

In the evening, Stepanakert’s Holy Mother of God Cathedral was filled with the faithful. The people of Artsakh shared in a united prayer for the martyred and for the defenders of the motherland. Reverend Matevos Dravyants joined the rally with his congregation after the service. He mentioned that they hold mass twice a week, worship service and united prayer because there is an ever-increasing need for it. “God’s power works in unity, Satan’s in division,” said the reverend. “The church is among the people. The people are in the church. We are united, and I am with my people.” he added.

Renaissance Square, Stepanakert, September 14 (Photo: Siranuysh Sargsyan)