Armenia Tree Project
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE (8733)
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
July 16, 2007
ATP Experts Visit Lebanon to Help Start a New Program in Armenian Village of
Aanjar
By Bella Avetisyan and Rebecca Jarvis
Two senior Armenia Tree Project (ATP) staff members from Yerevan–Anahit
Gharibyan and Samvel Ghandilyan–were invited to Lebanon this Spring to
provide training for a new tree planting project founded by the Initiative
for Biodiversity Studies in Arid Regions (IBSAR) at the American University
of Beirut (AUB). IBSAR was launched in 2002 by AUB faculty who are working
to protect semi-arid ecosystems and promote their sustainable use and
conservation.
The purpose of the visit was to share ATP’s methodology and practical
experience in establishing tree nurseries and community tree planting
initiatives. It was the first time ATP specialists had provided
international training and consultation based upon the organization’s 13
years of professional experience and knowledge. The ATP specialists helped
IBSAR establish a nursery in the village of Aanjar, supervised a local tree
planting initiative, and met with university students to discuss protecting
the Baabda Forest.
IBSAR’s mission is to launch activities in research, development, training,
and information exchange to promote the conservation of biodiversity in arid
regions, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. They have partnered
with organizations such as ATP in other regions to have a more global
perspective.
ATP specialists were contacted by Arbi Sarkissian, IBSAR Outreach Project
Coordinator and Research Assistant, who organized the visit. `The visiting
ATP experts pointed out the need for us to reach out to poorer communities
in need of activities that have potential economic incentives for the
locals,’ explained Sarkissian. `Hence, our hopes are to use Aanjar as a
research and training center where experienced members can teach others the
basics of tree production, nursery managing, tree planting, and monitoring.’
What ATP’s visit demonstrated, he added, is that `the potential for
reforestation in Lebanon depends largely on community participation and
long-term management and monitoring of trees’ and that `site preparation and
proper planning are essential for making reforestation and community tree
planting successful.’
Based on his experience establishing and managing ATP’s nurseries in Karin
and Khachpar, Samvel Ghandilyan presented detailed information about how to
set up a nursery. The next step was to travel to Aanjar and help create the
nursery. Later there was a presentation at the St. Paul Church to explain
ATP’s mission and programs. During the meeting, which was attended by 70
residents, mostly youth, an announcement was made about the community tree
planting being organized the following day.
Aanjar is an exclusively Armenian village with population of about 2,000
people. It has a city hall, public center, cafes and restaurants, as well as
historical ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. The village was founded in
1939 when the French, who owned the land, gave it to the Turks. The
Armenians who had been living there settled in tents on the desert-like land
they called Aanjar–which in Arabic means `water holes emerging from rocks.’
Over time, buildings were constructed and the village began to organize its
institutions. In 1947 about half of the population of Aanjar moved to
Armenia. The remaining residents transformed the village into an area
covered with fruit trees and forested zones. During the Lebanese Civil War,
Aanjar was a relatively safe place to live, and it became a shelter for
thousands of Lebanese Armenians.
Gharibyan and Ghandilyan met with agricultural engineer Yesayi Havatian, who
is a member of the Aanjar Development Committee. Havatian organized a tour
of the village and introduced the ATP representatives to the architect of
the village, Karo Antonian, who was given responsibility for establishing
the tree nursery in Aanjar.
The following morning 30 Judas trees (Cercis siliquastrum) and 10 Syrian
maples (Acer syriacum) were brought from AUB’s Agricultural Research
Environmental Center (AREC) and planted on a specially prepared plot. The
villagers–including many children who wanted to become stewards of the
environment–helped to dig holes and followed instructions from ATP and
local specialists. The adults showed the children how to properly plant and
care for the seedlings in order to grow healthy and strong trees.
Shortly thereafter, Gharibyan and Ghandilyan traveled to Beirut where they
were invited to the Agricultural Landscaping Department for a presentation
on projects aimed at preserving the Baabda Forest. The Baabda Forest issue
is very similar to that of the Shikahogh Reserve, which Armenian citizens
with the help of the Diaspora, successfully saved from destruction by a
planned highway in 2005. The forest of Baabda is situated east of Beirut,
and it is the closest woodland to the capital with open land spaces, shaded
areas, rich biodiversity, and unique wildlife.
When the government announced plans to build a highway through the densely
grown forest, students were given the task of presenting alternatives for
the preservation the magnificent forest. The best plans for protecting
Baabda Forest will be presented to the Lebanese government.
`It was an honor to be the first ambassadors of ATP in a foreign country,’
stated Gharibyan. `We had a wonderful time in an atmosphere of friendship
and amazing hospitality. We met with Lebanese families with beautiful
traditions and enjoyed the company of highly educated people.’
Ghandilyan said, `I am happy that we could share with IBSAR our knowledge
and experience, which came as a result of many years work in establishing
nurseries and implementing tree-planting projects. And I am very grateful to
all those who helped make our visit to Lebanon so interesting and
productive. It was really an unforgettable adventure.’
About Armenia Tree Project (ATP)
Based in Watertown and Yerevan, ATP has made enormous strides in combating
desertification in the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region.
Over 1.5 million trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs
have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs.
ATP works to further Armenia’s economic and social development by mobilizing
resources to fund reforestation as these vital new trees provide food, wood,
environmental benefits, and opportunities for economic growth.
To enhance public awareness of Armenia’s critical environmental challenges,
ATP co-produced, with several partner organizations, a series of documentary
films aired on Armenian TV and viewable online at ATP’s Web site:
PHOTO CAPTION: ATP staff Anahit Gharibyan (pictured right) and Samvel
Ghandilyan were invited to Lebanon to provide training for a new tree
planting project founded by the Initiative for Biodiversity Studies in Arid
Regions at the American University of Beirut; the program was lunched with a
planting by children and other residents in the Armenian village of Aanjar
Bella Avetisyan is ATP’s Outreach Coordinator and Rebecca Jarvis is a summer
volunteer for ATP in Armenia.