Personal tour of Armenia Tree Project lifts spirits

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Friday July 10, 2009

Antranik Monument Park in Yerevan is flourishing with trees after being barren a decade ago, thanks to the efforts of the Armenia Tree Project, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Tom Vartabedian

A refugee worker from Baku prepares the grounds for planting at the Armenia Tree Project nursery in Karin. Tom Vartabedian

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Yerevan - It all began 15 years ago with a single twig and the vision of Carolyn Mugar to promote the economic and environmental well-being of Armenia.

Today, the Armenia Tree Project (ATP) remains a pillar for that country in terms of forests, parks, and inner-city landscaping, which not only beautifies the land but enhances the very standard of living.

In a nutshell, the tree of life continues to grow in Armenia and Karabakh, with more than 800 communities reaping the benefits. Some 3 million trees have been planted and restored, hundreds of jobs have been created, poverty has been reduced, educational resources have been dispensed, and a better overall impression has been made upon tourists. The number of trees should rise to 3.5 million by next year and 15 million by 2015. The goal is to have 10 trees planted for each victim of the Armenian Genocide by its 100th anniversary.

A secure Armenia with a tree-filled base can only mean prosperity and growth for the population.

I got the opportunity to take the grand tour during a visit to Armenia in April. Reading about the accomplishments of ATP was one thing. Seeing the work was another. The meeting was arranged by Jason Sohigian, a former editor of the Armenian Weekly, now overseeing the ATP's Watertown, Mass., office at 65 Main Street.

General Antranik's monument

We met at Artbridge Café and Bookstore on Abovian Street in Yerevan, and from there took a short ride to Antranik Monument Park with public relations coordinator Bella Avetisyan and community tree monitor Navasard Dadyan.

Both were proud of the project and rightfully so. It was their passion, and it showed over the next four hours.

The park is found in the southwest corner of Yerevan, bustling with activity. Children were seen frolicking about. Older people were seated on benches solving the problems of the day or playing backgammon. Young couples were found walking hand-in-hand. It painted a good picture of a day in the city.

In 1997, there wasn't a single tree to be found on the premises. On came the ATP to plant 2,700 trees over time. Amazingly, all but 200 survived, turning the place into a cascade of greenery, joined by a rich repository of shrubs and floral concoctions. A new, enormous statue of the general was erected in 2005.

It's as if someone put a magic wand to the place and a miracle occurred.

"We believe in miracles," said Ms. Avetisyan. "Every area that has been refurbished in Armenia has been a small miracle. It's amazing what can occur when people work together. They can restore a country."

A partnership with the people

The ATP isn't alone in this endeavor. They supply trees, not the elbow grease, the grime, the sweat, and sometimes the tears. That belongs to the people. They get involved with their hands and their hearts.

What we saw at the Antranik Park was a variety of maple, ash, poplar, evergreen, and apricot, with a noticeable setting of rose bushes.

"We provide trees for no money," said Ms. Avetisyan. "The population gets involved with providing the labor and irrigation. They are responsible for a minimum 70 percent survival rate and are motivated to take that initiative."

From there, we proceeded across the street to Holy Trinity Church where 4,000 trees and shrubs have been planted. People in the neighborhood today call them "trees from heaven." The park is sprawled out over three acres with a magnificent monument dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia.

A mecca for tourists

A desert-like atmosphere existed there in 1997. Today, it serves as a mecca for tourists and townsfolk, not to mention the animals. Birds also find comfort here.

"It's truly God's work," says Tigran Palazian, chief propagator. "We get up to 50 calls a day looking to plant trees. Some 850 communities have been addressed and there's no end in sight. We look at all the sites. If they meet the criteria, then trees are provided. An attempt is made to satisfy all requests. People associate a healthy environment to a healthy population."

Driving along Antranik Street, we observe islands and walkways replete with trees.

"If it wasn't for ATP, Armenia would be brown, not green," offered Mr. Dadyan. "Armenia would be without three million trees. In the long run, it's better to have a surviving generation than trees. You can restore trees, but not a generation of people. We tend to think that both contribute to one another's welfare - trees and people."

A redwood in a forest of pine

In 1993 following the re-establishment of independence in Armenia, the country was in the midst of an energy crisis. Trees were being cut for fuel. The state had suddenly lost its green cover and there was turmoil everywhere.

"It's been a work in progress," added Mr. Dadyan. "We've planted by monuments and churches, buildings, parks, forests, and just about everywhere else. Wherever there are trees, there's the ATP."

Ms. Mugar provided the initiative as a veritable trailblazer and founder. She comes around often to the greenhouses and nurseries in Karin and Khachpar, providing valuable insight. Ms. Mugar continues to remain a redwood in a forest of pine.

"ATP began in 1994 with the modest goal of re-greening the public spaces in Yerevan where trees had been sacrificed during the 'dark years' after independence," she pointed out. "People were forced to burn whatever they could find to stay warm. Ten years later, we had planted 500,000 trees in Yerevan and neighboring communities. It became clear that rejuvenating public areas alone was not going to significantly impact the larger issue of deforestation. So we accelerated our efforts. By next year, we expect to have 3.5 million trees in Armenia."