NGO CREATING A SPECIAL RESERVE ZONE IN ARMENIA’S SOUTH

KAPAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS:An environmental non-governmental organization in southern Armenian province of Syunik has launched this past April a new project aimed to create a special reserve zone that stretches from Kaputan Mountain to Gazanalich small lake. The organization, called Khustup, has received $174,000 from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) to carry out the project. Vladik Martirosian, the chairman of this organization, said this area was chosen to become a special reserve because of its unique geographical location. It is about 2000 meters above sea level with many animals, birds and plants registered in Armenia’s Red Book. The projected is being assisted bye experts from Zoology and Botanic research institutes affiliated with the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. The project is to last 2.5 years and only then the organization will ask the government to declare this area as reserve.