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Construction of hydropower plant on Argichi river a 'white genocide'

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  • Construction of hydropower plant on Argichi river a 'white genocide'

    Construction of a hydropower plant on the river Argichi is like 'white
    genocide', an expert thinks


    2010-07-16 14:10:00



    ArmInfo. Construction of a hydropower plant (HPP) on the river Argichi
    is like "white genocide", ecologist Knarik Hovhannisyan told ArmInfo
    correspondent.

    To recall the construction of the HPP was launched on the basis of
    permission for the land irrigation of the Aghnjadzor rural community
    in Vayots Dzor region.

    However, according to strange mathematics, almost 7 thsd hectares of
    lands belonging to 5 communities: Geghovit, Madina, Vaghashen, Nerkin
    Getashen and Verin Getashen will remain without water for irrigation
    of 71 hectares of Aghnjadzor. It is noteworthy that the regional
    administration of Gegharkunik has not given its permit for the
    construction. The name of the new ordering customer of the HPP remains
    unknown, but according to rumors, a high-ranking official's son is
    behind this undertaking.

    The local population is frightened, but at the same time, it is ready
    to protect its interests, she said. "These are people, whose
    grandfathers and great-grandfathers came here from Western Armenia and
    laid new roads near Sevan and built new towns - Nor Bayazet and
    Martuni. Will their descendants be expelled from there now? There is a
    terrible term for that - "white genocide". It is horrible that all
    this is being done with our own hands",- she said. Hovhannisyan
    pointed out that the local population is sure that after the dam is
    built, the river Argichi will remain absolutely without water.

    "As an ecologist, I am well aware that according to the Water Code,
    one should leave environmental consumption in the river, which will
    contribute to maintenance of the biological diversity. Moreover, it is
    necessary to do this for the river to stay a river, but not turn into
    a gutter",- she said. Hovhannisyan was unaware whether the
    construction work is really suspended, as the Environmental Inspection
    says, or not.

    Anyway, the public has already said its loaded word, having addressing
    a letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan with the support of the
    Aarhus Center. The public demands that the work aimed at changing the
    Argichi course should be stopped. To note, Argichi is the most
    full-flowing river running into the lake and pouring in it about 176
    mln cub.m. of water annually.




    From: A. Papazian
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