New Ski Resort to Be Built in Yeghipatrush Village, But Residents Oppose

The government approved the investment program of "Mileer Mountain Resort LLC" during today’s session, which plans to invest in a 2080-hectare area located in the Aparan community of the Aragatsotn region. The investment program includes the construction of a new ski complex in the village of Yeghipatrush.

Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan assured that everything will be done to ensure the ski resort becomes operational next year. “In total, $27 million will be invested in the ski lift system. There will be several lifts. $8 million will be allocated for an artificial snow system. Moreover, this will be the first of its kind in Armenia. Of the total $60 million investment, only $7 million will go towards the casino. We are talking about creating a new small town in Yeghipatrush,” he stated, adding that the investment could lead to a new city similar to Tsaghkadzor.

However, residents of Yeghipatrush have expressed complaints regarding the project's implementation, stating through Auroranews that despite their lands being deemed of public interest, they are suffering and losing significant adjacent lands.

In a conversation with Auroranews, local villager Samuel Martirosyan mentioned that around 60 villagers, who own the 2080 hectares of land, are affected by the project’s implementation. “I want to build a house for my son; another wants to plant an orchard or already has one. Now we don’t want our land taken away from us; we are comfortable here,” the interviewee said.

It’s also noted that in October, when the lands were declared of public interest, the village residents sent a petition to the Minister of Economy, Vahan Kerobyan, stating that private lands belonging to community members were also recognized as public interest.

The ministry’s response to the villagers was swift. In response to the grievances from the Yeghipatrush residents, officials stated that the benefits of implementing the investment program for the "Mileer" resort approved by government decision outweigh the interests of the property owners of the expropriated properties, as: a. the implementation of the project will attract new investments, create new jobs, enhance the attractiveness of the region, and improve tourism, which will naturally have a significant socio-economic impact on the region and the entire Republic, b. the implementation of the project will also have environmental, health, sports, and cultural development significance.

The ministry emphasized that the effective implementation of the project cannot be ensured without the expropriation of the mentioned immovable property units. They also informed the residents that the draft decision had been discussed several times with the relevant agencies, including the Aragatsotn regional governor’s office. The agency in its response noted that there is no information regarding the commission that approved the draft decision.

Auroranews has also contacted the Aragatsotn regional administration, where it was stated that the last discussion with the residents on this issue took place on January 12, and regarding future meetings and discussions, those are also planned.