Armenia’s Shikahogh Nature Reserve and Mtnadzor Forest at Great Risk
YEREVAN, Armenia, June 8 /PRNewswire/ — Armenia, a country in the
South Caucasus which historically had forest cover of 40-45 percent,
is today at perilous risk of becoming completely deforested. Current
estimates place forest cover at around eight percent, and at current
rates of cutting, the last of the forests could be gone in as little
as 20 years.
Despite this, the Armenian government recently announced plans to
build a highway in the southern part of the country right through the
middle of the old growth Mtnadzor (Dark Canyon) forest, which occupies
about half of the Shikahogh nature reserve, one of only three pristine
reserves in the country.
According to reports, the plans call for cutting at least 14,000 old
growth trees and 90,000 younger ones. The Shikahogh reserve,
established in 1958, is home to innumerable rare and endangered plant
and animal species, including up to 12 leopards, whose habitats would
be gravely threatened by the road’s construction.
A coalition including Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Forests
NGO, World Wildlife Fund, and Armenian Assembly of America have been
working together to identify viable alternatives to the proposed route
and put a stop to the plan to begin immediate construction until
public hearings are held.
ATP founder Carolyn Mugar has sent a letter about the issue to the
President of Armenia, Minister of Nature Protection, Minister of
Transportation, and other high-ranking officials. “The Shikahogh
forest reserve provides unique habitats for many rare and endangered
plants and animals whose survival depends upon the government’s
responsible stewardship. We call on you to protect this reserve for
the sake of future generations of Armenians and the world’s
ecosystem,” wrote Ms. Mugar.
The Armenian government has cited “strategic” reasons for choosing the
route through the reserve, but hasn’t provided adequate justification
for the plan, which would violate numerous national laws and
internationally signed treatises to protect such nature preserves.
To date, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Defense
have stated their intention to move forward with construction
plans. In response, the Minister of Nature Protection announced his
intention to resign if the road is constructed through the
reserve. This stated determination to ignore alternative routes has
led many to question the true motivation for the government’s plan,
given the monetary value of the oak trees from the old growth forest
that will be destroyed.
“The construction of the proposed road through the preserve will
introduce pollution from passing vehicles into this almost pristine
forest, destroy the habitat for rare wildlife and migratory paths, and
attract illegal logging, depriving future generations of Armenians of
an irreplaceable resource. The encroachment by illegal loggers has
already destroyed much of Armenia’s forests during the past decade,”
added the ATP founder in her letter.
“[If Armenia’s government] does not demonstrate responsible management
of its natural and historical heritage, it weakens its ability to
protect Armenia from the impact of destructive policies in neighboring
countries. Any gains that may be realized by building this road
through the preserve will be far outweighed by the long-term
environmental and political damage that Armenia will suffer. We most
urgently ask you to consider an alternative route,” concluded
Ms. Mugar in her appeal.
Note for editors: Photos of Shikahogh nature reserve and rare leopard
photographed this year in southern Armenia are available. Contact ATP
office or visit Web site _http://www.armeniatree.org_
() . ARMENIA TREE PROJECT Jason Sohigian
65 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Tel: (617) 926-8733 Email:
info@armeniatree.org Web:
SOURCE Armenia Tree Project
06/08/2005 09:05 ET