The “Kenats Dar” (Century of Life) initiative is carrying out a program called “Tree Planting Armenia” through which ten new forests will be established in Armenia and will be named after the once Armenian-populated residences of historic Armenia.
In an interview with “Ankakh”, public relations correspondent of the program Ani Melkonyan mentioned that the planting of trees was launched in the spring and continues.
“Since this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and since we plant trees, we decided to establish forests in the modern-day territory of Armenia and name them after the 10 most Armenian-populated provinces and residences of historic Armenia,” Ani said.
The forests will be established in the Shirak, Lori and Kotayk Provinces.
The Van Forest will be located in the Basen village of Shirak Province, followed by Diyarbakir Forest in Arevshat village, Constantinople Forest in Ghazanchi village, Bitlis Forest in Keti village, Atrpatakan Forest in Vahramaberd village, Kilikia Forest in the Gogaran village of Lori Province, Kharberd Forest in Arevashogh village, Erzerum Forest in Lusaghbyur village and Sebastian Forest in the Akunk village of Kotayk Province.
Touching upon the establishment of the forests named Atrapatakan and Constantinople, Melkonyan mentioned that these residences were Armenian-populated residences and that the descendants of those who survived the emptying of Armenians from those residences are scattered across the globe.
Director of the community tree planting program and deputy director Artur Harutyunyan told “Ankakh” that the appropriate places for the forests were selected after meticulous studies. For about two years, the organizers of the program worked with various village councils, examined the areas and selected areas that are provided with an irrigation system and where the soil is appropriate for establishing forests. The residents of the villages are heartfelt and say they will take care of the forests. The villagers will plant the trees and take care of them in the future.
“They do the work so that they can be heartfelt when they see the outcome,” says Harutyunyan.
The “Tree Planting Armenia” Program helps provide seedlings, accessories for setting up fences in the area in order to protect the forests from animals, provides consulting and, by visiting the forests a couple of times a month, oversees the forests to make sure the trees are taken care of on time and in the right way so that eventually Armenia has new forests.
“This program is ongoing. For the first hundred years, we Armenians have been commemorating the victims of the Genocide by mourning their loss. For the next hundred years, we can plant trees in their memory. We can start with 10 forests, and later establish 20 forests and so on,” says Harutyunyan.
It is envisaged to have at least 15 ha of new forests. However, according to Harutyunyan, there is no limit in terms of territory. “We have planted 4 ha in the Gogaran village, but next year we’ll be planting 2 ha and reach 8 ha. We have planted 2 ha in the Arevashogh village, but there is room for up to 12 ha.”
Donators say where their ancestors were from, and their sums are used to plant trees in the corresponding forest.
“We released a couple of videos and spread the information by word of mouth,” says Melkonyan, adding that benefactors also spread the word about the “Genats Dzar” (Century of Life) project. Those who make over 50 dollars in donations receive a shirt with the logo of the project. They take photos in those shirts and post the photos on social networks. In addition, donators are granted a certificate statin that they have planted a tree or trees in memory of their relatives who fell victim to the Genocide.
“People post the photos of their certificates and their ancestors on social networks and present their stories, and that’s how they get to know each other and find relatives,” says Melkonyan.
Talking about the ultimate goal of the project, Melkonyan mentioned: “The goal is to increase forests and green areas in Armenia. We’re carrying out two major tasks at once. We’re keeping the memory of the names of lost territories of Armenia alive in the memories of the generations and are establishing forests in Armenia at the same time.”
