Thinking “green” is a lifestyle․ Viva-MTS and "My Forest Armenia" continue the environmental partnership

The fight against desertification through afforestation remains a key priority for Viva-MTS and the environmental organization "My Forest Armenia". The best way to mitigate the effects of climate change is to unite in “green” thinking. “My Forest Armenia” found an effective way to increase the team spirit։ it’s hanging out in nature for nature. Ahead of the fall and spring tree planting, the cooperating parties have started to work on the cultivation of sapling seeds. It is necessary to prepare for the next tree planting, fully mastering the skills and knowledge of creating a forest from scratch.

Viva-MTS and "My Forest Armenia" will soon implement the second joint project in Lori region. The "green" partnership launched a year ago has yielded visible results. A targeted afforestation program was implemented in Jrashen, Lori region. 20,000 trees were planted and mulched on a 6-ha area on an empty mountain. This year, it is planned to expand the forest coverage to another location with 9,690 saplings taking root in Urasar, on an area of 3 hectares.

"My Forest Armenia" environmental non-governmental organization started the fall tree planting in Lernajur and Urasar afforestation areas. Birches with a closed root system are being planted in Lernajur; a few days ago, the afforestation works began in Urasar as well, where oak, maple, pine, birch, wild pear and apple trees and bushes are being planted with an open root system. The 9,690 trees financed by Viva-MTS are planted in Urasar.

"We are glad to host the employees of our partner organizations who want to participate in forest creation. A person who has at least once participated in any stage of this work - seed collection, tree planting or mulching - already looks at the nature and their surrounding world with a new perspective. Love for life, the planet and the motherland begins with this one seed, which you carefully put in the soil. Of course, businesses have a great role to play in raising people's awareness, and Viva-MTS shows the best example," – says Lilit Martirosyan, the deputy director of "My Forest Armenia".

The seeds of oak, wild pear, and apple, collected a few days ago from the forests of Armenia, will be sown in order to get new seedlings after being processed by Viva-MTS volunteers and the employees of partner companies. In the nurseries of the organization, the workers manage to grow 15 types of forest trees, including fruit species and several shrubs.

With the joint program, the partners solve not only the environmental problem but also contribute to alleviating the employment problem of the region's population. Almost 80% of the main employees of "My forest Armenia" environmental non-governmental organization are from Lori region. They work in nurseries located in Debed and Gugark. During planting and mulching seasons, the number of workers reaches two hundred and forty. Necessary care in the newly afforested areas continues even after tree planting for about three years. This process is enough to make sure that the area will become a forest after years.

Climate change is a serious challenge for Armenia, which has the lowest forest coverage in the region. Only 11% of forest is not enough to provide oxygen. An environmental approach is in the interest of humanity. There is also a need to increase the forest volume and thereby prevent the risk of desertification. The deputy director of "My Forest Armenia" environmental organization has observed a positive trend: the number of organizations realizing the importance of the forest is increasing year by year. Organizations operating inside and outside the country have started to join the ranks of partners. That number exceeds three dozen.