ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ARMENIA REQUIRES LONG-TERM VISION AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Carolyn Mugar and Jeff Masarjian

mic-development-in-armenia-requires-longterm-visio n-and-sustainable-solutions/
Jul 31st, 2009

A widely accepted definition of sustainable development is "a pattern
of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving
the environment so that development meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs."

Unfortunately for Armenia, current economic development trends,
particularly in the areas of forest management and mining activities
(copper, gold, molybdenum, and soon, uranium), are not being managed
and regulated with the goal of sustainability.

Both foreign and domestic corporations in Armenia are being allowed
to plunder the nation’s natural resources, and are leaving behind a
legacy of ravaged landscapes, toxic tailing dumps, polluted rivers,
and widespread public health problems. There is a growing public
awareness and concern for these issues in Armenia, and Armenia
Tree Project is working with local groups to support environmental
protection legislation and strengthen enforcement.

In late 2008, despite public opposition both locally and
internationally, clear cutting the forest in Teghut began in
preparation for creating an open pit copper mine, with the blessing
of the Armenian government. Most recently, another mining company
announced plans to move its gold processing facilities to the basin of
Lake Sevan, which will seriously threaten the environmental integrity
of the lake.

Although such activity is banned by Armenian law, there has so far been
no move by the government to prevent it from taking place. Logging and
mining does not, by definition, have to severely damage the environment
and public health, but minimizing its impact means reducing the profit
margins of corporations and shareholders. This is not a compromise
that most corporations are willing to make voluntarily, which is why it
is the responsibility of government regulatory bodies to enforce laws
that represent the public welfare for current and future generations.

Although the health and livelihood of poor and rural citizens
of Armenia suffer the greatest immediate risk from this type of
unsustainable development, it is undeniable that the long-term
results of severe environmental degradation will eventually compromise
Armenia’s (and the planet’s) security and survival.

ATP will continue to advocate, with a long term vision, for
intelligent and sustainable solutions to the nation’s need for economic
development. We will support policies and practices that prioritize
the public interest over short-term profit taking.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress