Environmentalists are worried: Yerevan is in danger
The Public Environmental Information Center has issued a statement expressing its dissatisfaction over the ecological state of the Armenian capital and citing the ongoing construction as the main reason.
"Construction in Yerevan has scaled up in recent years. High-rise buildings, restaurants and commercial complexes are being constructed at the cost of green areas and courtyards," reads the statement.
"The large-scale construction further increased environmental and seismic hazards and deprived Yerevan of its coordinated network of green spaces. The closure of Getar and suspension of Avan's hydrotechnical infrastructure further increased the risk of flooding and mudslides. Roads are also being expanded at the expense of green areas.
At its meeting on July 21, the City Hall permitted to construct a 7-8-storey hotel near ‘Republic Square' metro station, which was approved by the government on August 18.
Environmentalists claim that the hotel will cause new serious problems, increasing traffic jams and polluting the air basin, distorting cultural and historical image of the capital and resulting in new environment and health problems," the Center said calling for the immediate hall of the construction, especially in downtown areas.
