PUBLIC FORUM TO BE HELD ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR ARMENIA’S FUTURE
armradio.am
27.05.2008 15:25
According to studies by international forestry experts, Armenia is
one of the vulnerable countries with a forest cover of less than 10
percent. As a result, Armenia faces challenges caused by erosion,
landslides, water management, climate change, and desertification. A
number of factors have contributed to this crisis, some of which are
related to geopolitics, poverty, corruption, and poor land management
practices.
Since 1994, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been working to implement
solutions to these problems by planting trees at hundreds of urban and
rural areas around the country. To highlight the next phase of this
work, ATP and a number of cosponsoring organizations will be hosting
a public forum on Thursday, June 19 titled "Sustainable Development
Strategies for Armenia’s Future."
The program will begin with the screening of a recent documentary
film by Vem Media Arts of Yerevan, followed by a presentation by
ATP Executive Director Jeff Masarjian and Zachary Parisa of the Yale
University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Mr. Parisa has done field work in the forests of northern Armenia,
near ATP’s 15-acre Mirak Family Reforestation Nursery in Margahovit
Village, and he is drafting a sustainable forestry manual for Armenia.
This event is cosponsored by Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Assembly,
Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Environmental Network,
Armenian National Committee, and Vem Media Arts. "We are very excited
to be collaborating with these organizations, all which have recently
partnered with ATP to spread the message about sustainable development
and the threat of deforestation," added Masarjian. "It is our sincere
hope that the list of organizations grows in the coming years as we
advance our reforestation programs in Armenia."