Ministry: Those who damaged environment and water resources during occupation will be held accountable

Relevant information on the environmental risks of the surrounding areas due to the ecological crisis and persistent pollution in the Okhchuchay River has been provided to international organizations, said Faig Mutallimov, head of the Ecological Policy Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Report informs.

According to him, Karabakh and East Zangazur are rich in water resources: "There are 14 main rivers, nine reservoirs, terminals, and mineral water deposits. After the liberation of the occupied lands, control over water resources was restored there. According to the monitoring results, it was found that the transboundary rivers, especially the Okhchuchay River, are seriously polluted with heavy metals. Both the water resources themselves and the sediments have been contaminated with heavy metals. The main source of this is the mining industry operating in Armenia."

Mutallimov said that the process of pollution continues as it did during the occupation: "As if Okhchuchay is used as a collector of wastewater. Thus, the ecological environment and balance of the river were disturbed. Claims have been filed against the relevant organizations in connection with this tragedy. A relevant research group has been set up to develop a rehabilitation program using scientific approaches to prevent and restore the pollution of the river."

The ministry official stressed that the results of the recorded measurements, each assessment, and all the revealed facts are documented: "In the end, all these documents will be submitted to the relevant authorities. Those who operated in the liberated territories and damaged nature, environment, water resources, and rivers during the occupation will be held accountable."