Botanical Institute Has Not Submitted Professional Opinion on Tree Cutting in Yerevan

The Scientific Outreach and Public Relations Division of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia announces:

“The Botanical Institute named after Armen Takhtajyan of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia has not submitted a professional opinion regarding the large-scale tree cutting and replacement works in Yerevan. This was stated by the director of the institute, Arsen Gasparyan.

“About a month ago, we received an invitation from the Yerevan Municipality to ensure the participation of the institute's specialists in a workshop concerning the greening of Yerevan. During the workshop, the issues of replacing sick, deformed trees with valuable species and the removal of invasive species were discussed, which was welcomed by the specialists. A protocol was created, which has been published. A month later, massive tree cuttings began in the center of Yerevan. Municipality employees regularly refer to scientific opinions and scientists, which is inappropriate. Our institute's scientists have expressed an opinion regarding the general idea of replacing sick trees,” said Arsen Gasparyan.

He noted that for such large-scale works, there should be a clearly developed program. “Our institute has not received, discussed, or responded to such a program. We have a state, and within the state, specialized governmental institutions and bodies operate, to which inquiries should be directed to receive observations and suggestions. This is a very important process, but it has not occurred. In any instance of cutting, the viability of the tree should be determined by specialists, and a justification should be presented as to why it is being cut and what will be planted in its place. Essentially, specialized structures have nothing to do with all of this, and the name of the Botanical Institute named after Armen Takhtajyan of the National Academy of Sciences is being exploited as needed,” said Arsen Gasparyan.

According to the director of the Botanical Institute, this process also has a public component:

“My call is to present and publicize the complete program, the professional grounds for each street and each tree. Around the world, there is a greater preference for using local species, as they are more stable and resilient. The Botanical Institute has recently conducted research and presented species suitable for Yerevan, which are favorable in the long-term context of climate change. The Municipality has participated in the discussions and has that guideline. I recommend utilizing the results of science.”

Arsen Gasparyan suggests the immediate development of an urban environmental strategy.

“Currently, there are no established and measurable strategic objectives, and the city is a whole ecosystem. If we do not have an environmental strategy, a detailed program of sectoral actions, then I do not consider it appropriate to make such impactful decisions quickly. I believe that this process should be halted, the program should be elaborated in detail, presented for public and professional discussions, specialized structures' feedback should be obtained, corresponding changes should be made, and based on that, actions should be implemented under adequate public awareness conditions. We all want what is best for our city,” stated Arsen Gasparyan.