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Carolyn Mugar at the Shikahogh Nature Reserve, June 10, 2005. (Photo: Photolur)

Action Update
July 1, 2005

Government Announces Shikahogh Nature Reserve Will be Spared:
Encourage President Kocharian to Assure that the Forest is Protected

On June 14, Armenia Tree Project issued an action alert via email asking the Armenian community to communicate their concerns to President Robert Kocharian about the Government’s plan to build a highway right through the middle of the Shikahogh nature reserve in the southern part of the country.

Over 700 people took action and sent electronic letters to President Kocharian in care of Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian in the US, asking that Armenia find an alternate route for the highway that would spare the reserve and its ice-age forests.

Minister of Transportation Andranik Manukyan and Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Ayvazyan announced during a June 17 public forum at American University of Armenia that the government is choosing a new route that bypasses the reserve. The President gave instructions to submit a feasibility study on the alternative route and a commission was appointed by the Prime Minister to study the issue.

Although the commission was expected to submit the feasibility study by June 24, it has not been made public as of July 1. The coalition of concerned individuals and representatives of more than 40 local and international NGOs and scientific organizations, called “SOS Shikahogh,” is cautiously optimistic that the decision to bypass Shikahogh will be duly implemented and are closely monitoring the situation.

According to Karen Manvelyan of WWF in Armenia, the construction equipment has since been removed from the site, leading observers to believe that an alternative route will be pursued. In a report on the biodiversity of the region, Manvelyan affirmed that Shikahogh--and the Mtnadzor forest that covers half of the reserve--are a “monument of natural heritage.”

In another unprecedented move, ATP joined forces with Armenian Forests NGO and World Wildlife Fund Armenia to produce a 30-minute documentary on the Shikahogh Reserve, created by Vem Media Arts in Yerevan. A group of 350 invited guests previewed the film on June 29, and it will be aired on Armenian TV this week.

Although the public campaign appears to have contributed to a good result, SOS Shikahogh is continuing to monitor the implementation of the alternative route to ensure that adjacent habitats are not threatened by the proposed road. After visiting the site several times with engineers and activists, the coalition believes that with proper planning and implementation the road can be constructed while also protecting the natural environment of the region.

To read more about this unprecedented effort to protect this monument of national and natural heritage, visit the ATP News and Environmental News sections of our web site.

Please take a moment to sign and send another letter to President Kocharian via the Armenian Ambassador, to congratulate the Government on its announcement to spare Shikahogh and encourage proper implementation of the bypass route.

President Robert Kocharian c/o Ambassador Tatoul Markarian 2225 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008 Dear President Kocharian, I would like to thank you and your administration for making a commitment to protect the Shikahogh Nature Reserve from the irreparable damage that would have resulted from building a highway through it. The Government's decision to seek an alternative route that will not disturb the wildlife habitats and ancient forests there demonstrates stewardship of the natural treasures that are part of Armenia's and the world's heritage, as well as its willingness to respond to public concern. It also demonstrates to the world community Armenia's commitment to the rule of law and international norms that protect ancient forests such as Shikahogh and the unique biodiversity of plants and animals they support. Respectfully,
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