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TANKIAN FOR TEGHUT: FORMER SOAD VOCALIST AGAIN RAISES CONCERN ABOUT MINING PROJECT IN ARMENIA
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
18.09.12 | 15:38
Photo: bnamard.blogspot.com
Former System of a Down vocalist Serj Tankian has urged the government
of Armenia to stop the mining project at Teghut, in the country's
northeastern Lori province, arguing that mining is "dangerous and
extremely short term solution" to the nation's economic woes.
In a letter addressed to the Save Teghut civil initiative group,
the Armenian American rock star draws comparisons between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, saying that the only ally of Azerbaijan, besides Turkey,
is oil.
"Armenia doesn't have an ally in oil. Nor does it need such
ecologically destructive, carbon-based allies. What Armenia needs is
a carbon neutral, ecologically sustainable, agriculturally diverse
future as its ally. True progress and a solution to Armenia's economic,
environmental, and social challenges will be based on a coordinated
effort to support environmentally sustainable agriculture," says
Tankian in the letter disseminated by the group. "I would urge
Armenia's government to re-consider its granted license to develop
open-pit mines in and around Teghut Forest, which is one of the most
biologically diverse forests in Armenia, and refrain from issuing
further mining licenses to the detriment of our environment and
sustainable development in Armenia."
It is not the first time that the famous singer, songwriter and
musician, who is widely known for his civil advocacy reflected
in his compositions, including for his lobbying of the Armenian
genocide affirmation, human rights and animal rights, raises his
voice of protest against the mining project in Teghut. Tankian also
spoke about the issue during his visit to Armenia last year. He also
spread a video on YouTube last summer calling for the development of
agriculture in the area instead of mining.
Armenian environmentalists, who have campaigned for more than four
years against the development of copper and molybdenum fields around
the forest in Teghut, recently came up with a new initiative trying
to prove that local residents have an alternative to mining in the
form of producing ecologically clean agricultural products. First,
environmentalists tried to sell honey produced in Teghut. They said
their experiment is crowned with success.
Teghut defense group member Lena Nazaryan told ArmeniaNow that they
value the involvement of conscious and active people in the campaign.
"We are very happy that Serj Tankian shares our ideas. Just like us
he thinks that Teghut's real, long-term and profitable capital is
its clean land and water, which is a prerequisite for the economic
development of Armenia. It is wonderful that he is not indifferent
to these ideas. What brings known and unknown individuals around the
issue of Teghut is their dream to live in a safe country, within a
healthy environment and with dignity," says Nazaryan.
From: A. Papazian
By Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
18.09.12 | 15:38
Photo: bnamard.blogspot.com
Former System of a Down vocalist Serj Tankian has urged the government
of Armenia to stop the mining project at Teghut, in the country's
northeastern Lori province, arguing that mining is "dangerous and
extremely short term solution" to the nation's economic woes.
In a letter addressed to the Save Teghut civil initiative group,
the Armenian American rock star draws comparisons between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, saying that the only ally of Azerbaijan, besides Turkey,
is oil.
"Armenia doesn't have an ally in oil. Nor does it need such
ecologically destructive, carbon-based allies. What Armenia needs is
a carbon neutral, ecologically sustainable, agriculturally diverse
future as its ally. True progress and a solution to Armenia's economic,
environmental, and social challenges will be based on a coordinated
effort to support environmentally sustainable agriculture," says
Tankian in the letter disseminated by the group. "I would urge
Armenia's government to re-consider its granted license to develop
open-pit mines in and around Teghut Forest, which is one of the most
biologically diverse forests in Armenia, and refrain from issuing
further mining licenses to the detriment of our environment and
sustainable development in Armenia."
It is not the first time that the famous singer, songwriter and
musician, who is widely known for his civil advocacy reflected
in his compositions, including for his lobbying of the Armenian
genocide affirmation, human rights and animal rights, raises his
voice of protest against the mining project in Teghut. Tankian also
spoke about the issue during his visit to Armenia last year. He also
spread a video on YouTube last summer calling for the development of
agriculture in the area instead of mining.
Armenian environmentalists, who have campaigned for more than four
years against the development of copper and molybdenum fields around
the forest in Teghut, recently came up with a new initiative trying
to prove that local residents have an alternative to mining in the
form of producing ecologically clean agricultural products. First,
environmentalists tried to sell honey produced in Teghut. They said
their experiment is crowned with success.
Teghut defense group member Lena Nazaryan told ArmeniaNow that they
value the involvement of conscious and active people in the campaign.
"We are very happy that Serj Tankian shares our ideas. Just like us
he thinks that Teghut's real, long-term and profitable capital is
its clean land and water, which is a prerequisite for the economic
development of Armenia. It is wonderful that he is not indifferent
to these ideas. What brings known and unknown individuals around the
issue of Teghut is their dream to live in a safe country, within a
healthy environment and with dignity," says Nazaryan.
From: A. Papazian