Forests

Armenia

The Caucasus Mountains shape the Armenian landscape. Forests of oaks, beech, and hornbeam grow and flourish on the steep slopes of the Lori, Tavush and Syunik regions, which host rich biodiversity and represent an important source of fuelwood and other non-timber forest products and services for rural communities.
Short trees in mist with orange, red, and green leaves

Photo: L. Balyan

IUCN in Armenia works towards the improvement of forest law enforcement at national and local scales through numerous initiatives which aim to enhance transparency and raise public awareness on forest crimes such as illegal logging. Some of the key activities carried out by IUCN in Armenia are:

  • the creation of a public monitoring of forests programme, which supports good governance and law enforcement in the forest sector by involving citizens in monitoring forests and reporting illegal acts. All data from this activity, including GIS maps are available on the web portal; and
  • the creation of roadshows throughout rural Armenia (in collaboration with EcoLur), consisting of a series of visits to forest-dependent communities by a team of forest experts with the aim of developing a dialogue with villagers on forest issues, raising environmental awareness, and increasing the sense of community ownership of forests and natural resources. 

Successes

Not in Our Forest!

“By increasing public participation in forest activities, programmes like public forest monitoring will do more than just help combat illegal logging, they will help bring about better, more transparent forest management and build a mutually beneficial relationship between forests, forest managers and forest communities.” Luba Balyan, FLEG II Country Program Coordinator for IUCN in Armenia

Knowledge is Power

“Helpless. This is how I felt when I saw my forests being damaged and I had no means to intervene. After taking part in the training courses of public monitoring, I am confident that I can finally bring my contribution to save forests in an effective way.” Levon Galstyan, a volunteer who participated in the IUCN-FLEG public forest monitoring activity

2015 FLEG Roadshow: The Hotline between Yerevan and Your Village

“When we arrived at Artavan, a small village of the sparsely populated Vayots Dzor Province, we didn’t expect to face a real emergency. The inhabitants had not received the entitled amount of deadwood to heat up their houses, and winter was approaching. We decided to contact the authorities in Yerevan right away and by the end of the day, the problem was solved. Everyone was satisfied and grateful, both citizens and local authorities understood that they could trust us.” Nazeli Vardanyan, environmental attorney and coordinator of the 2015 FLEG roadshows

Forest Heroes: Karine Panosyan, Armenia

 

Public service announcement on illegal logging

 

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