Azerbaijani media tour to regained district to monitor river polluted by Armenia

In order to get acquainted with the situation of the Okhchuchay River,

A media tour was organized to Zangilan District on the border with Armenia to monitor Armenia-polluted Okhchuchay River, as a Report correspondent dispatched to the scene said media representatives were provided with information about the causes and severe consequences of the pollution of Okhchuchay.

The head of the National Hydrometeorological Service under the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, Umayra Tagiyeva, said that 58 monitoring were carried out in Okhchuchay in 2021-2022.

"The level of pollution in the river is 5-7 times higher than the norm. The major pollution of the river occurs in the period from January to March and from June to August, mainly during the period of low water. High concentrations of pollutants in Okhchuchay were detected mainly in the upper reaches near the border with Armenia. The reason for the pollution of the river is the wastewater of the Kafan and Gajaran copper-molybdenum plants operating in the territory of Armenia. Wastewater is discharged directly into the river without treatment, which leads to heavy metal pollution in the river.”

Faiq Mutallimov, head of the department of environmental policy of the ministry, noted that the relevant information in connection with the environmental crisis in Okhchuchay was brought to the attention of international structures.

"All discovered proofs are documented and will be presented to the relevant authorities. The issue will be raised before companies, enterprises that cause pollution. Everyone, who carried out activities during the occupation in the now liberated territories and caused harm to nature, the environment, water resources, rivers, will without fail be held accountable."