ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Contact: Jeff Masarjian
Tel: (617) 926-8733 Email: jeff@armeniatree.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2005

Click here to read a letter from ATP Founder Carolyn Mugar to President Kocharian

Armenia’s Shikahogh Nature Reserve and Mtnadzor Forest at Great Risk
--ATP working with coalition of NGOs to protect this irreplaceable national treasure

A coalition including Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Forests NGO, World Wildlife Fund, and Armenian Assembly of America are advocating for an alternative to the proposed route of a highway in the Shikahogh nature reserve in southern Armenia (Photo courtesy of World Wildlife Fund Armenia)

Armenia, a country which historically had forest cover of 40-45 percent, is today at perilous risk of becoming completely deforested. Current estimates place forest cover at around eight percent, and at current rates of cutting, the last of the forests could be gone in as little as 20 years.

Despite this, the government recently announced plans to build a new highway in southern Armenia right through the middle of the old growth Mtnadzor (Dark Canyon) forest, which occupies about half of the Shikahogh nature reserve, one of only three pristine reserves in the country.

According to news reports, the plans call for cutting at least 14,000 old growth trees and 90,000 younger ones. The Shikahogh reserve, established in 1958, is home to innumerable rare and endangered plant and animal species, including up to 12 leopards, whose habitats would be gravely threatened by the road’s construction and the ensuing traffic pollution.

A coalition of organizations and individuals, including Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Armenian Forests NGO, World Wildlife Fund, and Armenian Assembly of America have been working together to identify viable alternatives to the proposed route which would do less environmental damage, and put a stop to the plan to begin immediate construction until public hearings are held.

ATP founder Carolyn Mugar sent a letter on May 25 to President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, in addition to the Minister of Nature Protection, Minister of Transportation, and other high-ranking officials. “The Shikahogh forest reserve provides unique habitats for many rare and endangered plants and animals whose survival depends upon the government’s responsible stewardship. We call on you to protect this reserve for the sake of future generations of Armenians and the world’s ecosystem,” wrote Ms. Mugar.

As of late last month, construction equipment was lined up at the site to begin construction through the Shikahogh nature reserve in southern Armenia, which would result in the cutting of at least 14,000 old growth trees and 90,000 younger trees (Photo courtesy of World Wildlife Fund Armenia)

The Armenian government has cited “strategic” reasons for choosing the route through the reserve, but hasn’t provided adequate justification for the plan, which would violate numerous national laws and internationally signed treatises to protect such nature preserves, which are widely regarded as part of a national heritage.

To date, the Ministry of Transportation as well as the Ministry of Defense have stated their intention to move forward with construction plans and ignore any proposed alternatives. In response, the Minister of Nature Protection announced his intention to resign if the road is constructed through the reserve. This stated determination to ignore alternative routes has led many to question the true motivation for the government’s plan, given the monetary value of the oak trees from the old growth forest that will be destroyed.

The Shikahogh nature reserve, established in 1958, is home to innumerable rare and endangered plant and animal species, including up to 12 leopards, whose habitats would be gravely threatened by the road’s construction (Photo courtesy of World Wildlife Fund Armenia)

“The construction of the proposed road through the preserve will introduce pollution from passing vehicles into this almost pristine forest, destroy the habitat for rare wildlife and migratory paths, and attract illegal logging, depriving future generations of Armenians of an irreplaceable resource. The encroachment by illegal loggers has already destroyed much of Armenia’s forests during the past decade,” added the ATP founder in her letter, which was also sent to government officials by Armenian Assembly of America Chairman Hirair Hovnanian.

“[If Armenia’s government] does not demonstrate responsible management of its natural and historical heritage, it weakens its ability to protect Armenia from the impact of destructive policies in neighboring countries. Any gains that may be realized by building this road through the preserve will be far outweighed by the long-term environmental and political damage that Armenia will suffer. We most urgently ask you to consider an alternative route,” concluded Ms. Mugar in her appeal.

Those who wish to express their opinions on this issue are encouraged to communicate with Minister of Nature Protection Vardan Ayvazyan via the Web site www.mnpiac.am, and send letters to President Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, and Minister of Transportation Andranik Manukyan, via Tatoul Markarian, Armenian Ambassador to the United States, 2225 R Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 319-1976, fax (202) 319-2982.

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