Tatoyan Foundation signals environmental threats in Nerkin Hand due to Azerbaijani occupation

After the occupation of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, in the area near the village of Nerkin Hand in the Kapan community, the armed forces of Azerbaijan are carrying out large-scale illegal logging of trees. As reported by the press service of the Tatoyan Foundation, this is evidenced by the findings of a fact-finding mission conducted by the Foundation’s Working Group, led by Arman Tatoyan (former Ombudsman of Armenia).

The source says that the state reserve “Shikahogh” in the Syunik  region is currently under threat.  Preliminary data indicates that  approximatley 10 thousand trees have already been cut down by  Azerbaijanis. Additionally, in the nearby  village of Nerkin Hand,  there are many plant species listed in the Red Book, such as  primrose, cornflower, St. John’s wort, etc. The Fund has pointed out  that the logging is being done to build military installations and  other military roads.

Large vehicles drive on these roads, heavy equipment is transported  leading to an increased risk of landslides. This has caused serious  environmental problems and poses a threat to the extinction of wild  animals. Additionally, there is pressing issue of drinking water in  Nerkin Hand. People are still using river water for their daily needs  as the drinking water sources are located in the territories of  Armenia that are occupied by the Azerbaijani armed forces. The Fund’s  fact-finding work in Nerkin Hand has documented almost daily mine  explosions in these occupied parts of Armenia.

The  report says.

The fact-finding mission also has found that people are unable to  visit the St. Hripsime Church and the cemetery in the village of  Nerkin Hand, due to Azerbaijani occupation. There is a new cemetery  for burials in the village, but residents avoid using it because of  the threat from Azerbaijani forces. Since the armed attacks by  Azerbaijan in September 2022, only one person has been buried there.  In other cases burials are carried out in the cemetery in Kapan.  , the Foundation noted.  Currently, the  necessary documents are being developed based on these and other  registered data, which will serve as the foundation for several  international initiatives of the Tatoyan Foundation.