ARMENIA MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL PARKS
ARKA
Sep 10, 2008
YEREVAN, September 10. /ARKA/. Armenia marks the 50th anniversary
of the national parks Khosrov Woods, Shikahogh, Dilijan National
Park. The country has announced a month’s campaign for preservation
of forest reserves.
Armenia marks the 50th anniversary of the national parks Khosrov Woods,
Shikahogh, Dilijan National Park. The country has announced a month’s
campaign for preservation of forest reserves. Topical environmental
issues will be the campaign’s focus," RA Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan said at a formal reception on the 50th anniversary of the
national parks.
He called on to join efforts to solve the existing problems in the
country.
"If we want to become an eco friendly country, we should first of
all know how people treat to nature," the premier added.
He stressed the importance of including classes on ecology in the
curriculum of schools. "It is obvious that the government alone cannot
settle environment issues," Sargsyan said.
The concept of sustainable development is designed for generations,
according to the Prime Minister.
"For a country with so many social and economic problems, environmental
issues become of secondary importance," the premier said. "However,
it will be for our benefit if we change our attitude to nature."
The prime minister awarded gold medals and watches to some of the
workers of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection.
Khosrov Forest Reserve is situated south-east of Yerevan, at the foot
of the Gueghama volcanic mountain, in the basins of the Azat and Vedi
rivers. The Reserve is situated 1400-2250 meters above sea-level,
and extends over an area of 29196 hectares, 9000 of which is covered
with forests.
Shikakhogh Reserve (10,000 ha) is situated in the northern slopes of
the Meghri The general climate here is warm and humid. About 1,074
species of plants can be found in the area.
Dilijan Reserve (33.7 ha) is situated in the north of Armenia. The
main subjects of protection are beech and oak forests, the shady yew
grove of Hakhnabad and a few springs-fed lakes. The number of species
growing in the reserves is around 900.