Minister: “Environmentalists’ opinion was taken into account”
The construction of small hydroelectric stations will contribute to economic growth. This is what RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan announced as he touched upon the draft law presented by the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration during today's government session.
According to Sargsyan, the government has shifted a part of the lands of the rural communities of Gndevaz, Getap of Vayots Dzor province, the Balahovit village of Kotayk province and Yeghvard's municipal communities to another category for the construction of small hydroelectric stations and supporting structures, apartments and a nylon factory.
"It looks as though there is interest in small hydroelectric stations, taking into account the latest change of land categories. With that said, serious investments should be made again," the RA Prime Minister announced.
Khosrov Forest to be saved?
The RA Government today affirmed RA Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan's project for restoring and using historical-architectural monuments at the "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve.
The program envisages monitoring of over 300 monuments located in the territory for renovation and restoration. Tigran Sargsyan underlined that all issues connected to "Khosrov Forest" Reserve have been solved, including the issues that were raised by environmental organizations.
"We can register that based on the government's previous resolutions and today's complex program, we dispel all their concerns about the "Khosrov Forest", said Sargsyan.
No damage?
During a press conference following the government session, RA Minister of Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan touched upon the RA law "On the Lithosphere", mentioning that the ministry has proposed several provisions, particularly environment control and payments for usage.
"We have taken the environmentalists' opinions into account. Our position is that it is necessary to exploit the lithosphere, but the issues related to environmental protection should be reduced to a minimum. We should use the latest technologies, and the potential damages to the environment should be reduced to a minimum," said the minister, adding that all businessmen polluting the environment pay fees and fines in accordance with the law.
