Reforestation

During the past 25-30 years, the forest coverage of the Republic of Armenia has been cut dramatically. Besides, a lot of changes led to loss of the quality of forest ecosystems. The forest coverage is officially 11,2%. From the Climate change point of view, Armenia is considered a vulnerable country. Increasing the forest coverage, which includes afforestation and reforestation, is considered to be one of the most important tools dedicated to the mitigation of the Climate change.
The primary goal of reforestation is to recover disturbed forest ecosystems by implementing different strategies. These include: planting native tree species, sowing seeds in forest restoration areas, coppicing, as well as, promoting natural regeneration processes.
The recovery of previously forested areas is particularly important for the preservation of biodiversity, and conservation of microclimatic conditions. This guarantees forest ecosystem sustainability.
Afforestation is planting forests in new areas or in areas that were forested a long time ago. 

Together with DNP, located in the Tavush province, we have selected a reforestation site inside the Park which covers an area of 20 ha. With elevation ranging from 1600 – 1750 m this area truly belongs to mesophyll forest ecosystem, predominantly made up of Quercus macranthera, Carpinus orientalis, with sparse spots of Fagus orientalis and shrubs with a high domination of Crategus and rose shrubs.
During the economic crisis of the early 90s, high anthropogenic pressure turned many areas of this high canopy covered forest into a sparse forest.
Even with good undergrowth, small trees can not grow in height, because of overgrazing in this area. People were still using the national park as pastures which directly influenced the health of the forest.
Reforestation activities for this site includes fencing of the area, endemic seed sowing and tree planting. Seeds and trees will represent key species of the national park’s biodiversity.

Our afforestation projects are done in Lori province. Following the filing of our Environmental Impact Assessment end of March 2020, two reforestation areas were approved by the ministry of the Environment by mid September. On October 6th and 14th respectively, a public hearing took place at the Jrashen and Shirakamut communities. Both projects were officially approved. The Jrashen afforestation area is divided in three areas and covers a total area of 350 ha. The Shirakamut area is 86 ha. It will take approximately 3 years to plant these two areas.

AREA: 86 HA
Elevation: 1750-1900 m
Exposition: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W

LAND 1: 96 HA
Elevation: 1860 – 2290 m
Exposition: N, W, NW
LAND 2: 150 HA
Elevation: 1900 – 2400 m
Exposition: N, W, NW
LAND 3: 100 HA
Elevation: 1850 – 2400 m
Exposition: N, NE, E, SE, S

AREA: 1.407 HA
Elevation: 1.630-2.250 m
Exposition: N, NE, E, SE, S, W