Reports on Environment and Urban Development for Alaverdy

GEO ALAVERDI: ENVIRONMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

It might be mentioned also that the biggest cause in having the current terrible environmental condition of Alaverdi belongs to theACP copper processing plant. The pollution of ambient air mostly occurs from the activity of this plant. However, the same plant contributes to the economic development of the community by giving jobs to the residents and by indirectly contributing to establishment and development of satellite companies. The programs implemented by the RA Government, the Marzpetaran of Lori and by the Municipality of Alaverdi have weak impact on the solution of the existing problems. Consequences, in case of the inertia trend is maintained: a) taking into consideration the demographic data of 1989-2009, the number of the population in the coming 20 years will decrease by 40% and comprise 10000 people, b) the forested areas of Alaverdi will be reduced by 20% and the existing vegetation will be toxic, c) the climate of the area will change; the temperature will rise by 0,5 0 C, which will result in lower water quantities, d) the quality of agricultural products will fall, the agricultural areas will diminish, because of pollution of soils by heavy metals and erosion, e) the frequency of epidemics will increase, f) about half a million USD will be provided from the State Budget annually in a form of subsidy, for implementation of various programs, however those programs will not provide for signi fi cant improvements in the quality of life, as the pollution will continue with the environmental degradation. 2. The worst trend Description of the situation: The worst scenario would be if the ACP, identi fi ed as the biggest polluter continues working and expands the volumes of production, and no practical measures are taken for eliminating the threats to the environment in the city. This situation could bring to the unforeseen consequences . The population will be subjected to occurrence of genovariation. The present biodiversity will be lost. The climatic and geographical conditions of the city will change. The city will become a disaster zone, the rehabilitation of which will require signi fi cant funding and decades of time. 3. The best trend Description of the situation: The stakeholders and experts discussion on the best trend scenario for Alaverdi came to the two possible alternatives that could bring to the best scenario of development.

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CHAPTER 6. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Environmental Knowledge for Change