TAKE CARE OF OUR NATURE, YOUR MOTHER: “MASHTOTS” GREEN MOVEMENT GROWS STRONGER WITH EACH PASSING DAY
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
13.04.12 | 13:23
While Armenian political forces are unfolding their campaigns ahead of
the May 6 elections to the National Assembly, there is also a growing
civil movement that centers not only around environmental issues,
but also around the question of the legitimacy of oligarchic property.
The Yerevan municipality had dismantled a number of pavilions from
the central Abovyan street and decided to temporarily place them
in the public park off Mashtots Boulevard. This led to protests of
young environmentalists who for more than two months have been holding
round-the-clock protests in the area. On March 31 they were joined by
“senior” companions – well-known scholars – who were quickly dubbed
as the “Dismantling Brigade” as they made an attempt to dismantle
the kiosks with their own tools. Their attempt failed because the
police had cordoned off the pavilions, during the second attempt
they managed to break through the cordon, but the police removed the
environmentalists without using excessive force.
So far the Mayor’s Office has not provided any document confirming the
right to carry out construction in the park. The Council of Elders,
which is authorized to take such decisions, did not do that, and,
in fact, it turned out that Mayor Taron Margaryan broke the law. So
far, he has said that the pavilions are owned by individuals, but
their names have not been given. A few days ago the brother of former
Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglaryan, who was said to own the boutiques,
said he had no property in Mashtots Park.
Recently, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II issued a surprise
statement essentially backing the environmentalists. “Nature was
created by the Lord and it needs to be treated with love and care. It
is meant to serve the welfare of man, which is the crown of nature,
and man is entitled to reasonably use nature’s gifts. We welcome the
attention of environmental organizations and their initiatives.
Environmental problems should be solved within the framework of
legislation that must be guided by the interests of the country
and society,” the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church said in
his message.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Yerevan’s Erebuni district
on Wednesday, President Serzh Sargsyan, who leads the country’s
ruling Republican Party, also addressed environmental concerns and
urban planning issues. According to him, in the context of solving
economic problems environmental priorities and the need to preserve
the appearance of Yerevan were very often forgotten. “Today, we change
accents and say: economic priorities do not prevail over the task of
preserving the appearance of Yerevan. And here I give you my word that
it will not be like this anymore,” promised the president and added:
“We will by legislation exclude any construction in the center of
Yerevan if it is not consonant with the look of the city. In a few
years the priority of preserving the appearance of the city will
finally triumph in Yerevan.”
On Saturday, free tree seedlings will be distributed in the park for
people to take and plant them right away where they find it necessary.
But then they will have to take care of the growing tree.
The Mashtots Park movement is gaining momentum – six teams of 10
people each have been formed and they are willing to dismantle the
illegally constructed pavilions. They’ve purchased hard hats and tools
and are ready at any time to start dismantling. The group has more
than 5,300 supporters on Facebook. Almost every day the park sees
concerts of well-known musicians who care about what is happening
in their city. The atmosphere that reigned in the park during the
concerts of the Karin and Hover choirs could be compared to nothing.
On Sunday, a charity concert will be held there to raise money for
dismantling the kiosks.
During a recent meeting with students U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John
Heffern said that his country will help those who want democratic
elections, will support people and organizations that are fighting
for their rights and democratic institutions, but his country is not
going to build democracy in Armenia instead of Armenians. “This is
your country, not ours,” said Heffern. “Go ahead and build it, clean
it, and nobody has the right to stop you because you are its owners.”