Author: VK
According to the Armenian newspaper "New Era", if earlier answers to questions about compliance with environmental regulations, the impact of mining and construction sectors on the health of workers and residents of the surrounding communities in the country were more emotional in nature, now the results of scientific studies that demonstrated the current situation have appeared. The American University of Armenia, the edition reports, initiated a scientific conference with the participation of international experts from the U.S., France, Germany, Italy and other countries. In addition, a number of research activities for involving professionals and the public in the existing problems, as well as for the use of their results in the development of relevant policies in Armenia in the field of ecology, were held. A study conducted in 19 communities of Armenia found that soil contamination with heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, arsenic and lead, in many samples taken for analysis, is far above acceptable international norms. For example, in Alaverdi and Akhtala arsenic and lead were found at 11-12 times higher than normal in all samples of the soil.
According to experts, the presence of heavy metals in soils is one of the causes of cancer. The sources of pollution, according to them, are mining companies, foundries, etc. In this regard, many villagers have expressed their concern, and some are forced to sell their land at low prices. Pollution of these areas, in addition to the serious problems related to health, leads to the fact that their agricultural products are becoming uncompetitive in the market. In addition, in some of the places near the discharge of mine waste there are child care facilities. The paper also draws attention to the fact that environmental compliance is important in terms of tourism development in the country. In the world there are many examples of countries with harmful production complying with these standards and successfully developing tourism industry.
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The Azerbaijani newspaper "The Mirror" shows the development of alternative energy in the country. This process was launched in Gobustan region, not far from Baku, where in the site specially created for this test renewable energy hybrid power plant consisting of three wind turbines with a total capacity of 2.7 MW, 1 MW power plant running on biogas and solar panels capacity of 1.8 MW are already operating, i. e. a total capacity of 5.5 MW. According to the head of the State Agency for Renewable & Alternative Energy Akim Badalov, at present, most enterprises in Gobustan receive electricity from this site. Together with the state power company "Azerenergy" a system that allows you to direct the received power into the grid is created. The minister also said that work began on the expansion of the Gobustan site, and by 2015 its capacity will be increased to 8 MW, which will provide electricity to the city of Gobustan, and later the entire district of Gobustan. He also said that his department is planning to set up similar plants in other regions of the country. At the initial phase the power station capacity will be 15-20 MW, later it can be brought up to 45-50 MW. State Agency for Renewable & Alternative Energy estimates the cost of the development of the sector at the level of 5.8 billion euros per year, equivalent to 10% of GDP, or roughly 50% of budget expenditure. However, the Agency prepared an investment program which is still not approved, and now the approach of the Ministry of Industry and Energy, which proposes to focus on minimizing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency, and to develop alternative energy at the expense of the saved means, is prevailing.
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Chairman of the Republican Committee of Tourism Batyr Mal'sagov told the newspaper "Ingushetia" on how the work on popularization of the republic and the establishment of its positive image as a tourist destination is going on. A group of representatives of Russian and foreign media of 20 people are invited to Ingushetia to participate in a regular press tour scheduled for the end of April,. The event "In the land of Gilgal – heroes of feats of arms and glory" will have a patriotic theme. Guests will visit the place where the main battle to decide the fate of the Great Patriotic War on the south took place, visit the mountainous part of the republic in the resort "Armkhi." The official added that among the guests there are bloggers, and those who in the future will bring to Ingushetia documentary filmmakers and athletes. In particular, he referred to the editor of the anthology "Journey around Russia" Sigorsky, chairman of the board of the Foundation "Development of automobile and motorcycle sport and tourism" Oleg Vityutsky and documentary filmmaker Oleg Bermanas.
In mid-May Ingushetia will be presented at the Moscow International Tourism Fair. The resort "Armkhi" together with Acropolis Group will hold a forum and exhibition of manufacturers of ski equipment. In mid-June national conference "Development of regional tourism through the promotion of cultural and historical heritage" will be held; the arrival of about 100 people, including the head of the Federal Tourism Agency Alexander Radkov, is planned. A large holiday program, according to Malgasov, is dedicated to the opening of the tourist season on May 1 in the republic.
