In Vayots Dzor, the peaceful coexistence of humans and wildlife has been given more importance to. There is this challenge to conserve the farms without harming the nature. Farmers realize that bears possess remarkable skills: they very quickly identify and overcome the obstacles created by farmers, and cause significant losses to their farms.
Vahe Khachatryan, a beekeeper in Gomq, has tried numerous strategies to prevent losses: he found the bears’ paths to his garden, installed devices signaling their approach, but they were temporary and ineffective.
Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets have found an effective way to support farmers: they made use of modern green technologies. Solar-powered electric fences are both safe for animals and invaluable for economic development. Recently, twenty electric fences were provided to Vayots Dzor, including five to Vayk: Vahe Khachatryan is among those who’ll benefit from them.
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“I have 95 beehives. This year, bears started arriving in the village even earlier, in spring: they used to come in autumn. Without electric fences, I would have suffered substantial losses: beehives would have been completely destroyed. I feel much calmer now after installing the system. It’s great that there are organizations supporting villagers and nature conservation. As a result, we can promote beekeeping. Both we and the people living in cities benefit from it: we produce pure honey,” said farmer Vahe Khachatryan.
Making green technologies serve humanity and nature, as well as establishing a network of eco-villages have become strategic for Viva-MTS since 2019. In collaboration with the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets, they strive to foster sustainable development, reduce environmental risks, develop rural areas through modern solar-powered technologies. Over the years, they have provided 50 electric fences to farmers, covering a total area of 475 000 square meters.
Electric fences operate using high voltage but low amperage. The animals are not physically harmed, but they experience discomfort, deterring them from approaching the fenced areas.
