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ATP
News
ARMENIA TREE
PROJECT Press Release Page 2 of 3 < Previous 1 2 3 Next >
A detailed presentation on forests
and forestry management prepared by Hovik Sayadyan,
head of the International Office of the Agricultural
Academy and a lecturer in forestry and agro-ecology,
covered deforestation in Armenia's regions and
addressed present day forestry issues. During
his presentation, Karen Manvelyan of World Wildlife Fund offered an interesting and informative report on local biodiversity, from an overview of flora and fauna to a detailed study of rare plants and animals inhabiting Armenia. "Many of these species are on the verge of disappearing, and this is a real danger we have to prevent," he cautioned. Mr. Manvelyan discussed the loss of habitat and biodiversity, the pollution of rivers and the atmosphere, and overgrazing as just a few examples of negative effects on the environment. "Illegal tree-cutting in small villages with a small population does not affect forests as much as businesses based on paper and furniture production, export, and construction. These factors damage green zones the most," noted the World Wildlife Fund representative while answering questions. Stressing the importance of environmental education, Mr. Manvelyan added that to reduce the harm caused to biodiversity, to save and preserve remaining species, we need more experts and professionals. As a result, the World Wildlife Fund mission includes environmental education programs for schoolchildren, and many of them have been successfully realized in a number of rural schools throughout Armenia, he stated. Karine Manoukian of the Women for Green Way for Generations NGO brought attention to the problem of local and global pollution. She stated that ultraviolet rays, heavy metals, gas and petrol vapors, and many other pollutants have a strong impact on the human body. These and other factors--such as genetically modified products and food--stand in the way of healthy future generations, she concluded. Aida Iskoyan of Environmental Public Advocacy Center provided an overview of environmental legislation in Armenia, paying particular attention to environmental laws and enforcement. Dr. Iskoyan also discussed the international treaties and agreements signed by Armenia, and the environmental education components of those agreements. At the end of her presentation, Dr. Iskoyan answered questions from participants. During the second day of environmental trainings, educators presented three model environmental education lessons, conducted by Peace Corps volunteers, agriculture specialist Genik Movsisyan of ATP, and conference facilitator Dr. Karla Wesley. Jeffrey E. Engels, USDA Armenia Director, was present among over 100 participants and guests at the two-day workshop. A press conference was held
on the second day of the workshop and was attended
by reporters from 11 television channels in
Armenia, as well as from several news agencies.
"The Peace Corps in Armenia is very happy
to have cooperated with Armenia Tree Project
on this Environmental Education Workshop. The
workshop was very informative and productive,
and we look forward to working together to advance
environmental education in Armenia," Peace
Corps director Patrick Hart told reporters. < Previous 1 2 3 Next > |
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