Yerevan is Losing its Natural Lungs: We Start Actions Tomorrow - Viktor Mnatsakanyan

Yerevan is losing its natural lungs as it receives artificial respiration. Starting tomorrow, we will begin actions. This was announced by Viktor Mnatsakanyan, the former head of the Central Administrative District, on his Facebook page.

“Even the glorious holiday of the Resurrection of Christ does not seem to prevent several semi-literate individuals from continuing the massacre of trees starting tomorrow. This concerns a multi-step operation underway in Yerevan, which has reached threatening proportions. Under the pretext of 'tree transformation,' large and healthy trees in the capital are being cut down or uprooted.

Residents of Yerevan are being offered tree species that are not viable in our conditions, not as a plant, but as a dangerous source of corruption. According to various media reports, as well as truly knowledgeable and impartial specialists, the ongoing process of tree transformation, in reality, a massacre of trees, has not undergone proper examination by the corresponding circles and structures. The Institute of Botany of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences and the Environmental Impact Assessment Center have not been informed about this 'program.'

The city authority responsible for this process continues to be at the center of corruption scandals. Dear residents of Yerevan, around 200 trees have already been cut down, but the complete disaster is still ahead, given that plans are in place to cut down approximately 3,000 more trees. This means desertifying Yerevan, leaving residents face-to-face with the heat, and disfiguring the biosphere, especially under rising temperature conditions.

This is an attack not just on our health, colorfulness, and character, but also on our self-esteem. To prevent the assault on Yerevan's ecology, we are initiating the establishment of a rapid response center that will respond with practical steps to the unacceptable measures of the city authorities regarding the deforestation of Yerevan. We invite all concerned compatriots, political and apolitical forces, public and cultural figures, students, and intellectuals to join us in stopping the environmental disaster threatening Yerevan together.

It is not just tomorrow that it will be too late, we are already late today. To join the struggle, or to share details or thoughts, please contact us,” noted Mnatsakanyan.