There are still areas in the “Khosrov Forest” reserve, where final fire extinguishing works are being carried out, so it’s still early to talk about damages. Geographer, soil scientist Ashot Khoyetsyan talked about this at a press conference. He underlined that the Ministry of Emergency Situations with the help of other structures did their best to prevent the fire, however, we have a serious problem in withstanding ecological disasters: “Our society is not ready for it, and the relevant structures are responsible for that”.
The expert noted, that some officials claimed that there were no necessary communications in specially protected areas, which would help to quickly and effectively fight against the disaster: “But I have been in many countries where, regardless the disaster type, the protected areas have communication, whereas in our case they had no idea even of relief”.
According to Ashot Khoyetsyan, a professional response on fire damage can be given only if full-scale monitoring is performed: “3,000 hectares are burnt, 10 percent of which is a juniper trees area. The mass destruction of juniper trees will cause recovery problems. The restoration of junipers is a priority because the oak trees have not been damaged so much. Medicinal herbs have also been severely damaged. It is difficult to say how much the ecosystem will be restored. I doubt that without irrigation these territories will be restored”.
Luiza SUKIASYAN
