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Press Release
June 8, 2006
Armenia Joins International Community in Commemorating United Nations World
Environment Day, with a Focus on Illegal Logging and Desertification
YEREVAN–The United Nations Development Programme and a wide range of
partners in Armenia jointly marked World Environment Day (WED) on June 5. A
number of environmental NGOs and individuals attended the WED celebrations,
where a new film on illegal logging titled `From Need to Greed’ was
premiered.
The documentary was funded by Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Forests
NGO, and the World Wildlife Fund Caucasus Office, and produced by Vem Media
Arts. Another event was hosted by American University of Armenia (AUA) later
that evening, where the film was followed by presentations from two leading
forestry experts in Armenia.
The WED theme for 2006 was Deserts and Desertification, and the slogan
`Don’t Desert Drylands’ emphasized the importance of protecting
drylands–arid and semi-arid regions that are home to more than two billion
of the world’s most vulnerable people. World Environment Day is one of the
principal vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of
the environment and enhances political attention and action.
During a conference at the UN with Simon Papyan, Deputy Minister of Nature
Protection, and Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Vidal provided
background on Armenia’s historical forest cover. `According to historical
data, forests covered 20 percent of Armenia at the turn of the 20th century,
but by the early 1990s this area was reduced to 11.2 percent and is now
below 10 percent,’ stated the UN official.
`We would like today to call upon the government, civil society, media
representatives, and general public to combine their efforts towards
preventing desertification. Applying sustainable agriculture practices,
measures to prevent landslides, forests’ rehabilitation, appropriate waste
disposal practices, and increasing awareness of threats posed by
desertification and its causes already would make a big difference,’ noted
Ms. Vidal.
Mr. Papyan outlined the efforts of the Ministry of Nature Protection in
beginning to address environmental problems including the adoption of a
draft law on Environmental Impact Assessments. He called for closer
collaboration between NGOs and the government in addressing environmental
issues. `We are capable of making brilliant decisions when we work
together,’ stated Mr. Papyan.
Karine Danielyan, head of the Association For Sustainable Human Development,
presented her observations regarding desertification and deforestation. `A
recent public opinion poll indicated that from a total of 500 people, none
found the condition of the environment in Yerevan to be `good’ or `normal,’
while 32.3 percent are convinced it is `extremely endangered,” said Ms.
Danielyan. `We are turning Yerevan to a desertified city with concrete and
stone constructions instead of greenery.’
Premiere of `From Need to Greed’ Documentary
The event continued with the screening of the new film `From Need to Greed,’
for the audience of nearly 100 people, which documents deforestation and
illegal logging in Armenia. Vache Kirakosyan, Director of Operations for
ATP, cited the need for broader public education on environmental issues as
the reason ATP joined with other NGOs to support the creation of this and 10
other films about Armenia’s environment.
`The situation is different than it was in the early 1990s with the energy
crisis,’ noted Armenian Forests NGO President Jeffrey Tufenkian in the film.
`There is still need-based cutting for people who can’t afford fuel other
than wood, but it has moved from need to greed. The greed of a few who are
taking truckloads of wood out of the forest and keeping local villagers from
entering the forest.’
AUA Environment Conservation and Research Center Screening
Another event correlated with WED was hosted by AUA later that evening. The
AUA Environment Conservation and Research Center (ECRC) organized the second
public preview of `From Need to Greed,’ hosted by ECRC head Dr. Renee
Richer. After the film, two leading forestry experts in Armenia discussed
their latest research.
Dr. Hovik Sayadyan, head of the Forestry Department of the Armenian
Agricultural Academy, presented his recently published research on `Forest
Policies, Management and Conservation in Soviet and Post-Soviet Armenia’ and
`Evolution of the Forest Cover in Armenia.’ The material shows how
dramatically the extent and condition of Armenia’s forest ecosystems have
decreased since independence in 1991. This decline is not only a consequence
of the recent history of the area, but also the result of improper forest
policies, management, and forest-use practices.
Armen Asryan from Agricultural Academy Forestry Department and ECRC then
presented his research study on `Mapping Armenian Deforestation,’ which uses
remote sensing technologies. The results of his research will be used to
assist public agencies, NGOs, and international organizations document the
problem and formulate appropriate policies and programs.
PHOTO CAPTION: (L to R) Karine Danielyan, head of the Association For
Sustainable Human Development, Consuelo Vidal, United Nations Resident
Coordinator, and Simon Papyan, Deputy Minister of Nature Protection, at the
program hosted by the UN in Armenia for World Environment Day