Civil initiative starts collection of signatures
A civil initiative campaigning for the protection of Tegut forest has launched a collection of signatures for the salvation of the forest. The initiative demands that the Armenian government stop exploitation of the Teghut mine.
"We, the undersigned, demand that the government immediately cease exploitation of the Teghut copper-molybdenum deposit and present a package of measures to protect the environment. The damage caused to nature by the exploitation of the Teghut mine will be immeasurable and will have irreversible consequences on the ecosystem, poisoning 1500 hectares of lands, forests and rivers. Under the project, the largest tailings in the Caucasus will be built in Teghut. The project threatens physical and mental health of local residents, their right to food and water and is a rough violation of children's rights.
Teghut is one of the largest and well-preserved forests in Armenia. At present, only 7% of the country is covered by forests, while in 1990 the figure stood at 30%. Though Armenia occupies 6.3% territory in the Caucasus, it contains 60% of the regional biodiversity.
About 200 species of plants, 55 species of mammals, 86 species of birds and four species of amphibians are exposed to danger under the given mining project. Not only thousands of hectares of forest and rich biodiversity included in the "Red Book" will be lost, but also about 500 million tons of poisoned waste full of heavy metals and about 600 million tons of other kinds of waste will be produced. The heavy metals may cause cancer, respiratory and reproductive diseases, birth anomalies and various allergies. The project also threatens cultural and historical heritage of the country.
