KIDS’ ECO-CAMP HIGHLIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
Reuters AlertNet, UK
Sept 9 2006

Children learn through fun and games at the Eco-Camp
World Vision MEERO,

Twenty four children from six villages in an ecologically devastated
region of Lori in north Armenia, heard how their communities’ precious
forests are disappearing at an alarming rate during an ecology camp
in late August.

Experts say some 30% of trees in Lori were illegally felled for
heating and construction purposes during the last decade.

‘This region used to be very rich in forests, and it suffered most
from people’s barbarity. Youth today don’tknow how long it takes for
a sapling to grow into a tree, have no idea about the environmental
disaster they face in future,’ said Marat Manukian, Lori ADP acting
manager.

[rquotebox] An estimated 15% of forests are cut in Armenia for heating
and construction purposes each year. [rquotebox] Forests covered 25%
of Armenia at the beginning of the 20th century but now only 8% to 9%
of the nation is forested. An estimated 15% of forests are cut in
Armenia for heating and construction purposes each year.

Organized by Lore Eco-Club NGO with the support from World Vision,
the eco-camp aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues and
find solutions through interactive games and presentations.

The participants were the children who have previously participated
in seminars on environmental issues and won a composition contest.

Together with ten local and two Peace Corps volunteers they learned
about water turnover of water, desertification, the provisions of
Orhus Convention and the importance of preserving the environment.

‘We believe these children will return to their villages and educate
their peers. We hope to see more people like us, people who care for
the environment and understand its importance for the development of
our region’, says Manya Melikjanyan, the president of Lore Eco-Club.

The camp was held near the village of Gyulagarak, where members of
Lore recently discovered massive, unauthorized woodcutting and raised
a clamour among the international organizations and governmental
bodies. As a result, the felling was stopped and the forest of relic
pine-trees will be preserved.

[lquotebox] We do hope that unauthorized tree felling will be reduced,
if we join efforts and educate people. [lquotebox] Sona Vardumyan,
22, a volunteer from Stepanavan, said those who plan wood cuttings and
all the population are now on the alert. ‘We do hope that unauthorized
tree felling will be reduced, if we join efforts and educate people’,
she adds.

Lore Eco-Club NGO was established in 1999 to implement environmental
and health programs. World Vision and the club have been organizing
seminars on environmental issues, publish booklets, monitor the Lori
woodlands and plant trees since April, 2006.