ArmInfo. "For me, it is absolutely unacceptable to build saunas and hotels in the forest," said ecologist, chairman of the association "For Sustainable Human Development" Karine Danielyan, speaking about the main points of controversy in the program of forest development in Armenia for 2018-2020.
According to Karine Danielyan, perhaps this goal would be justified if it were a question of recreational ecotourism - a short rest on the nature with cognitive purposes in tent camps. But, the bitter experience, the ecologist expresses concern about the fact that the program, in fact pursues commercial benefits and is aimed at the development of another type of tourism, based on the satisfaction of the sybaritic ambitions. "Where do we have this desire to build saunas everywhere?", the expert asks.
In addition, the ecologist doubts that those responsible for the sphere will be able to control the process of cutting down trees, take it out of the "shadow", setting the allowable and harmless for the ecosystem cutting volumes. "To this day, I raised the issue that big business is engaged in deforestation, and I was told about the groundlessness of such statements, saying that the residents of the community communities are just solving their pressing problems, but today it turned out that the problem was also it should be solved, how much time it will be solved will be shown, "she said.
The State Committee of Forestry of Armenia under the Ministry of Nature Protection presented the program of forestry development for 2018-2022 on March 21 under the slogan "Let's save our forests and give them to future generations". Within the program, during 2018-2020 it is planned to introduce a system of stable management of forestlands by creating more effective control mechanisms. The works will be implemented within the framework of the program in three main directions: establishment of timber processing enterprises, establishment of mini-hotels in the forest zone and also in the territory of forestry enterprises in the 5 border communities of Armenia, the establishment of enterprises for the reception and processing of forest fruits and berries. In addition, the organization of beekeeping farms in the forest areas of Syunik, Vayotsodzor, Tavush and Lori regions is expected. At the same time, the volume of felling of trees is expected to decrease: this year from the present 600 thousand cubic meters a year, to about 90 thousand cubic meters, of which, for today, a professional commission approved the volume of 18 thousand cubic meters. As it is supposed, experts will be engaged in cutting of trees on the basis of the decision of the corresponding commission.
According to the latest research conducted by the German Organization for International Cooperation (GIZ) in 2011, approximately 11.2% of the territory of Armenia, which is more than 332.3 thousand hectares, is covered with forests.