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Armenian Environmental Issues. Hay yergir harts By Drew Zamanigian. Historical Map of Armenia Circa 1920. Map of Armenia and Karabagh. Economics and Energy. During the 1970’s Soviet era Armenia built Nuclear power plants in Metsamor .
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Armenian Environmental Issues Hay yergir harts By Drew Zamanigian
Economics and Energy • During the 1970’s Soviet era Armenia built Nuclear power plants in Metsamor. • In 1988 these plants were closed down after a massive Earthquake shook Armenia though no damage to the plant was report. • In 1995 One of the Nuclear Reactors was reopened, however is still under pressure by some of the international community to close it down because the Soviet design does not meet international safety measures. • The Nuclear plant provides 40 percent of Armenian’s power while hydropower accounts for one-fourth. • In 2005 Armenia’s electricity distribution system went private and was purchase by a Russian company, RAO-UES. • Natural Gas will soon be imported through a pipeline from Iran that is halfway completed and will be finished in January of 2009.
Nuclear Concern • The Soviet Nuclear power plant that was built in Metsamor was built directly on top of a seismically active zone. • In 1988 there was a massive Earthquake, though the plant did not receive any damage there still is a concern from other countries. • Some of the international community believe that a seismically active zone could potentially be devastating if there were to be another Earthquake. • However, in 1993 both French and Russian Nuclear consultants declared the plants operating conditions “basically safe.”
Industries, Agriculture and Exports • There are large mineral deposits in Armenia containing copper, gold, bauxite and many metals such as pig iron. • Industries include diamond processing, metal cutting, machine tools, forging press machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, and brandy. • Agricultural products include fruit (especially grapes, figs, apricots, and pomegranate), vegetables and livestock. • The biggest exports are pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamond, mineral products, food and energy.
Environmental IssuesWater • Armenia stand strong on many environmental international agreements including: air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, Kyoto Protocol, desertification, hazardous wastes, law of the sea, Ozone layer protection, wetlands and air pollution-persistent organic pollutants. • Armenia is located in the Lesser Caucasus Mountain region and contains the largest lake in the mountain range known as Lake Sevan. • However, there are environmental problems that have resulted from the boost economy since the Soviet era including soil pollution from the use of toxic chemical including DDT that is currently still in use in Armenia. • Rivers such as the Razdan and Arpas have become polluted and as a result have started to drain Lake Sevan as a source of hydropower and for irrigation. • Lake Sevan’s water level has dropped past a critical point that the Armenian Ministry of the Environment has ordered a tunnel to to divert water back into the lake. • It is important that the water level is at the average level in Lake Sevan because of all the local flora and fauna and endangered species around.
Nagorno-Karabagh Conflict and Economic Struggle • During the beginning of independent Armenia a war broke out with Azerbaijan over Karabagh that led to severe economic decline. • The war was over the Karabagh region which was occupied by Armenian’s but considered to be part of Azerbaijan by the Azeri’s. • Later Armenia gained Karabagh from the Azeri’s. As a result Armenian’s are no longer allowed in Azerbaijan. • Because there was such a large economic struggle during this time of conflict Armenia’s Government launched an “IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program,” which helped steady economic rates.
Energy Crisis and Deforestation • As a result of the Azerbaijan and Armenia conflict there was an energy crisis in the 1990s. • This led to massive deforestation in rural parts of Armenia where residents needed firewood. • The main cause of the deforestation was caused by the Azerbaijani blockade of supplies and electricity to Armenia. • Since Azerbaijan and Armenia have yet to reach an agreement to lift the blockade it still post many environmental threats to the area.
Conclusion • Armenian does have it’s share of environmental issues. • Most of these environmental issues have been a result of the Soviet era’s technology. • Since independence (Post Soviet-era) most of the environmental issues have fixed and have not returned. • Today’s technology in Armenia has improved greatly since Soviet-era and has played a large role in with improving environmental issues.
References • (2008, July 15). The World Factbook - Armenia. Retrieved July 15, 2008, from CIA Web site: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/am.html • (2008). Armenia - Environmental Problems. Retrieved July 15, 2008, from Environmental Problems Web site: http://countrystudies.us/armenia/22.htm • Grigoryan, Marianna (2006, October, 20). Armenia: Environmental Change Spurs Respiratory Diseases. Retrieved July 15, 2008, from Eurasianet.org Web site: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/environment/articles/eav102006.shtml • (2008). Ministry of Nature Protection. Retrieved July 15, 2008, from MNPIAC Web site: http://www.mnpiac.am/
