Posted on October, 10 2012

Forests play a significant social, environmental and economic role in the Caucasus. Northern Armenia is particularly characterized by high forest cover loss and overgrazing. The damaged forest ecosystems are no longer in a position to function as habitat for endangered species, erosion control or provision of natural resources (wood, berries, mushrooms, etc.) to meet the local population. By the destruction and degradation of forests many unique plants and animal species such as the Caucasus leopard, brown bear or the various types of wild goats lost their habitat.

Given the significance to this area in the aspect of biodiversity and preservation of rare and endemic species in July 2012 WWF Armenia together with WWF Germany and WWF Switzerland started a three-year project: “Forest landscape restoration in Northern Armenia”.

The main goal of the project is restoration of forests and natural habitat of critically endangered plant and animal species as well as income generation for the local population.

For the project implementation site Trchkan waterfall area has been selected which is Nature Monument located in Lori province of Northern Armenia.

The site selection was also made due to the fact that in 2011 a private company has decided to build a hydro power plant on the site of the waterfall but against this decision a group of environmental organizations including WWF Armenia organized a campaign which resulted in the cancelation of the hydroelectric power plant project.

In the current year the project implementers will complete the design activities of developing afforestation and in the spring of 2013 will begin measures of fencing and planting. Within this project training on forest restoration will be conducted for neighboring communities of the area.

By 2015, at the end of the project, there will be restored 35 hectares of mixed mountain forest, will be increased incomes for at least 100 families of nearby communities throw involvement in the preparation and implementation of afforestation and will be created necessary conditions for the restoration of the natural habitat of plants and animals of Northern Armenia.