VIDEO: Nothing has changed in those people's lives over the last 30 years - Pashinyan on villagers engaged in deforestation

During today's government meeting, prior to the main discussions, there was a reference to the incidents in Ijevan. The Minister of Environment, Erik Grigoryan, reported that the deforestation activities are not being carried out by individuals heating their own homes, but rather by businesses.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed with this characterization, stating that it might create the impression that all residents of Tavush are involved in deforestation, but that is not the case. These tree-cutting activities are performed by a narrow circle of individuals.

“This is a very narrow circle that has, over many years, established certain levers—a network—through its corrupt links, and essentially we are dealing with that network today,” said Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister noted that law enforcement has initiated various cases regarding different deforestation incidents, but there is a separate case within the National Security Service concerning this entire network.

“There will be no compromise regarding deforestation; there will be no illegal compromise,” emphasized Pashinyan, adding that no one can speak to the Armenian government in terms of blackmail.

However, the Prime Minister drew attention to the fact that there are people who have been engaged in tree-cutting for 30 years, enriching others while remaining in the same miserable condition. Yet according to the Prime Minister, these individuals need to be taught how to earn money without cutting down trees, through tourism instead.