Environmentalist Inga Zarafyan, President at Ecolur NGO, welcomes the steps and measures by the Yerevan Mayor’s Office to restore the green zone in the capital city.  “Yerevan has the highest level of cancer causing and allergic diseases which is no coincidence. It should finally get rid of the aggressive environment created around our city,” Zarafyan told Panorama.am

The environmentalist reminded that the issue with the green zones first came in the 90s when they were replaced by illegal constructions which were later legalized.

Zarafyan believes that while implementing its urban greening policies, the Mayor’s Office should present a serious plan. Green zones should be restored around the capital city as the Dalma and Nork parks
served once. ”No forests are in Yerevan, green spaces and parks are destroyed and now our courtyards are being destroyed. We had to start from one point. We welcome the decision of the Mayor’s Office and remind that it is a major project which is not realized with just one step and in one year,” she said, expressing hope the city authorities will also involve interested NGOs specialized in the sphere.  

In the specialist’s words the capital city needs four-layer greening  – tall, middle and low trees,  as well as flowers and grass spaces. As Zarafyan said, attention should be paid also to the species of the green population tailored to the specific needs of the city depending on the level of pollution Yerevan has.

To remind, the Yerevan Municipality carries out dismantling woks of several cafes located in the vicinity of the Opera House in downtown Yerevan as part of a program to restore the green zone around the building. The dismantling of the cafes started on Wednesday, four weeks after the Yerevan Municipality formally notified the cafe owners to vacate the premises, since the city is halting its lease contracts.