Armenia’s rivers face severe ecological challenges due to the impacts of mining and small hydropower plants, experts revealed on International River Day. Bardukh Gabrielyan, director of the Zoology and Hydroecology Research Center, criticized the industry for polluting rivers and damaging ecosystems, even when standards are met.
Victoria Buniazyan, editor of EcoLur, highlighted findings from a study of 130 hydroelectric power stations, pointing out declining fish stocks and river imbalances caused by these plants. Additionally, 15 rivers were found heavily polluted by mining waste in a 2017 assessment.
Long-term forecasts suggest further decline in river watercourses, with expected reductions of 11.9% by 2030 and 34% by 2050. These alarming trends underscore the urgent need for stricter environmental policies and sustainable management practices to protect Armenia’s aquatic ecosystems.
