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WWF BRANCH OPENED IN ARMENIA
By Nana Petrosian
AZG Armenian Daily
05/10/2007
The activity of WWF worldwide counts already 36 years, it includes 100
countries, 700 different nature protection programs and has about 5
thousand employees. Since 1992 WWF has been running several programs
in South Caucasus, and in 2001 and office was found in Armenia. Last
year the office was officially registered as the Armenian branch of
WWF, and the ceremony of the inauguration of the branch took place
yesterday at "Armenia-Marriott" Hotel, Yerevan. At present the Armenian
branch is running 20 programs, which also contribute the solution of
a number of social and economic problems of our country.
The head of "WWF International" and the European and Central Asian
Departments, Georg Swed stated in his speech at the opening ceremony,
"Caucasus, as one of the regions, richest with wildlife diversity, is
included in the WWF 'World's 2000 Eco Regions' program and is counted
among world's 25 richest and most threatened regions. In Armenia,
which is 6,7% of the territory of Caucasus, grow over 3.500 kinds
of rare plants with one of the highest density rates in the world -
100 kinds per square kilometer. 387 kinds of those rare plants are
registered in the Armenian Red Book. These facts and many others prove
the importance of finding solution to nature protection problems,
which our organization combines with the solution of social-economic
questions. We also have the support of the Government of Armenia,
as well as 10-year experience of fruitful activity".
Armenian Minister for nature Protection Aram Haroutiunian in his turn
stated that the Government is determined to continue the cooperation
with WWF, in order to attract maximum attention to ecology problems,
and eventually reduce them to minimum. He said that a tourism center
is to be founded in the reservation of the Khosrov Woods, so as to
enhance ecotourism in Armenia.
The Minister explained the reduction of wildlife diversity and ecologic
degradation in Armenia by a number of social, economical, political and
institutional issues, such as mineral resource industry, illegal wood
throw, poaching, etc. The programs of WWF are aimed at the reduction
of the aforementioned factors. The programs provide for restoration of
natural environment, ensuring life condition for the life of animals
and plants and involvement of the society in those programs.
A competition for articles on ecology was organized for Armenian
reporters. 9 of them were awarder prizes for their works. WWF awarded
"Armenia-Marriott" and HSBC Bank-Armenia with diplomas for their
assistance to eth organization's programs. By the way, HSBC granted
$13,2 million for the restoration of a nature memorial in Tatev,
Armenia.
By Nana Petrosian
AZG Armenian Daily
05/10/2007
The activity of WWF worldwide counts already 36 years, it includes 100
countries, 700 different nature protection programs and has about 5
thousand employees. Since 1992 WWF has been running several programs
in South Caucasus, and in 2001 and office was found in Armenia. Last
year the office was officially registered as the Armenian branch of
WWF, and the ceremony of the inauguration of the branch took place
yesterday at "Armenia-Marriott" Hotel, Yerevan. At present the Armenian
branch is running 20 programs, which also contribute the solution of
a number of social and economic problems of our country.
The head of "WWF International" and the European and Central Asian
Departments, Georg Swed stated in his speech at the opening ceremony,
"Caucasus, as one of the regions, richest with wildlife diversity, is
included in the WWF 'World's 2000 Eco Regions' program and is counted
among world's 25 richest and most threatened regions. In Armenia,
which is 6,7% of the territory of Caucasus, grow over 3.500 kinds
of rare plants with one of the highest density rates in the world -
100 kinds per square kilometer. 387 kinds of those rare plants are
registered in the Armenian Red Book. These facts and many others prove
the importance of finding solution to nature protection problems,
which our organization combines with the solution of social-economic
questions. We also have the support of the Government of Armenia,
as well as 10-year experience of fruitful activity".
Armenian Minister for nature Protection Aram Haroutiunian in his turn
stated that the Government is determined to continue the cooperation
with WWF, in order to attract maximum attention to ecology problems,
and eventually reduce them to minimum. He said that a tourism center
is to be founded in the reservation of the Khosrov Woods, so as to
enhance ecotourism in Armenia.
The Minister explained the reduction of wildlife diversity and ecologic
degradation in Armenia by a number of social, economical, political and
institutional issues, such as mineral resource industry, illegal wood
throw, poaching, etc. The programs of WWF are aimed at the reduction
of the aforementioned factors. The programs provide for restoration of
natural environment, ensuring life condition for the life of animals
and plants and involvement of the society in those programs.
A competition for articles on ecology was organized for Armenian
reporters. 9 of them were awarder prizes for their works. WWF awarded
"Armenia-Marriott" and HSBC Bank-Armenia with diplomas for their
assistance to eth organization's programs. By the way, HSBC granted
$13,2 million for the restoration of a nature memorial in Tatev,
Armenia.