The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), together with its General Partner VivaCell-MTS, will be implementing a new initiative within the framework of the joint Alternative Energy Project. The partners have begun to install solar powered electric fences in Shaghap, Lanjanist and Urtsadzor communities.
The solar powered electric fence presentation will be attended by VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, founder of FPWC Ruben Khachatryan, heads of communities: Karapet Karapetyan (Shaghap), Hovhannes Davtyan (Lanjanist), Raffik Andreasyan (Urtsadzor), and local residents. During the event, Henk Blaak, the Manager of one of the first (since 1938) and most successful electric fence producers called Gallagher, will do a hands-on demonstration of how the electric fence works. He has been invited to Armenia by FPWC staff to conduct trainings.
A solar powered electric fence will protect sheep and goats against wolves and other predators. It also may be used to protect gardens and landscapes from damage by animal. This innovative solution, which for many decades has proved to be highly efficient in developed countries around the world, is expected to reduce human-wildlife conflict throughout Armenia.
The event will address the existing problems and introduce an innovative solution for rural communities. Eight solar powered electric fences will be installed in the target communities within the framework of this project.
“The construction of the electric fence protecting the livestock from predators is yet another innovative project that we implement together with one of our major partners FPWC. For the first time in Armenia, the fight of the farmers against predators is with no lethal end. The farmers in Lanjanist, Urtsadzor and Shaghap can now live without fear for the property and their lives. The most important is that the electricity consumed by the fence is produced by solar energy, with no additional burden on the rural communities’ limited budgets. This project, like many others accomplished with the FPWC, is done jointly with the community and hand in hand with the people as this is the only way for sustainability. People are getting prepared and trained on these projects,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian added.
About the Alternative Energy project
The Alternative Energy project aims to reduce pollution and protect the environment by giving villagers an opportunity to use alternative sources of energy. This ten month long project will be implemented in five communities of the Gegharkunik (Vahan and Tsovagyugh) and Ararat (Shaghap, Lanjanist and Urtsadzor) regions and contains two components: capacity trainings for local villagers and access to renewable energy (solar thermal system, electric fences, LED street lights). As Armenia has a fairly good potential for solar energy, investment in alternative and energy efficient technologies can significantly benefit environmental and social issues. The project aspires to become a long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and VivaCell-MTS in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable use and conservation of natural resources. Both parties emphasize the use of modern technologies in the field of environmental protection, which will in turn promote nature conservation, energy efficiency and community development.
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