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12 Aragatzotn Villages Protest Water Shortage: What General Owns the
Mini Hydro-Plant Causing the Problem?
Kristine Aghalaryan
15:10, May 24, 2013
For the past two months villagers in twelve rural communities in the
Aragatzotn Province have complained that they are going without water.
Two mini hydro-electric plants are the culprits. And now, there are
plans to build a third.
Villagers say that plant operators are diverting the water of the
Amberd River to turn the turbines of the two plants.
On April 30, the villagers closed the Yerevan-Gyumri road in protest.
Residents of the twelve affected communities say there is not enough
water left for irrigation purposes.
On the day of the protest, the Aragatzotn Provincial Governor
interceded and promised to look into the matter. But with summer soon
approaching, water for irrigation will remain a top priority issue.
Orkovi village Mayor Arayik Manoukyan, where the two operating plants
are located, says that a work permit for a third plant has been
granted but that an operating license hasn't.
The `Environmental Impact Assessment' SNCO told Hetq that the third
plant had passed inspection.
However, when we asked to see the inspection results we were told to
put the request in writing since it was a day before a holiday and
that everyone in the office had gone home for the day. (It was only
two in the afternoon -KA)
The company owning the plants is an outfit called Amberd Hek Ltd.
According to State Registry at the Ministry of Justice, Iranian
citizen Pavriz Nosrat Alamdar owns 49% of the company's shares.
Another 16% is owned by Robert Okhanyan. He operates two other Mini
plants in the Haghpat village in Lori Province. His name cropped up in
connection with plans to build a plant at the Trchkan Waterfall.
The remaining 30% is owned by Major-General Melsik Chilingaryan, Chief
of the Department of Arms Control of the Armenian Armed Forces
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/26793/12-aragatzotn-villages-protest-water-shortage-what-general-owns-the-mini-hydro-plant-causing-the-problem?.html
Mini Hydro-Plant Causing the Problem?
Kristine Aghalaryan
15:10, May 24, 2013
For the past two months villagers in twelve rural communities in the
Aragatzotn Province have complained that they are going without water.
Two mini hydro-electric plants are the culprits. And now, there are
plans to build a third.
Villagers say that plant operators are diverting the water of the
Amberd River to turn the turbines of the two plants.
On April 30, the villagers closed the Yerevan-Gyumri road in protest.
Residents of the twelve affected communities say there is not enough
water left for irrigation purposes.
On the day of the protest, the Aragatzotn Provincial Governor
interceded and promised to look into the matter. But with summer soon
approaching, water for irrigation will remain a top priority issue.
Orkovi village Mayor Arayik Manoukyan, where the two operating plants
are located, says that a work permit for a third plant has been
granted but that an operating license hasn't.
The `Environmental Impact Assessment' SNCO told Hetq that the third
plant had passed inspection.
However, when we asked to see the inspection results we were told to
put the request in writing since it was a day before a holiday and
that everyone in the office had gone home for the day. (It was only
two in the afternoon -KA)
The company owning the plants is an outfit called Amberd Hek Ltd.
According to State Registry at the Ministry of Justice, Iranian
citizen Pavriz Nosrat Alamdar owns 49% of the company's shares.
Another 16% is owned by Robert Okhanyan. He operates two other Mini
plants in the Haghpat village in Lori Province. His name cropped up in
connection with plans to build a plant at the Trchkan Waterfall.
The remaining 30% is owned by Major-General Melsik Chilingaryan, Chief
of the Department of Arms Control of the Armenian Armed Forces
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/26793/12-aragatzotn-villages-protest-water-shortage-what-general-owns-the-mini-hydro-plant-causing-the-problem?.html