Environmental Agency Shifts Responsibility Over Hrazdan Gorge Violations

An environmental watchdog has deflected accountability for construction violations in Yerevan's Hrazdan Gorge to the city's municipal government, according to an investigation by Hetq. In its response to the outlet, the agency placed enforcement responsibilities directly on city planners while leaving the status of the protected natural site uncertain.

The Hrazdan Gorge is a significant ecological and recreational area within Armenia's capital. The deflection suggests regulatory fragmentation between environmental oversight and municipal enforcement, potentially complicating efforts to address alleged violations and protect the gorge's integrity. The matter remains unresolved as bureaucratic divisions delay decisive action on preservation efforts.