Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The Armenian aggressors' ecological terror against Azerbaijan continues amid daily provocations on the frontline.

After committing numerous arsons in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which also spread to villages located near the contact line of Armenian-Azerbaijani troops, the Armenians are now targeting water resources. They pollute the rivers with toxic waste from factories.

Azerbaijan's two largest rivers, the Kur and Araz, also pass through Armenia and Armenians have been regularly polluting them for many years. Both rivers play a major part in agriculture and the economy of Azerbaijan.

Almost all of the rivers that begin in Armenia flow into the Kur and Araz rivers and then to the Caspian Sea.

Regular pollution in the rivers by Armenia thus poses great danger not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the whole region, including Armenia itself.

The Armenians also pollute the Ganjachay, Goshgarchay, Shamkirchay, Agstafachay rivers that pass through the Azerbaijani territory.

The most miserable situation is that of the Tovuz River that passes through the Alibayli village of Azerbaijan’s Tovuz region. Alibayli residents are concerned about pollution in the river on a regular basis, as they cannot use the water of this river either as drinking water or for farming.

Environmentalists say that these rivers are also not recommended for irrigation in agriculture, as they poison the soil and plants.

Waste thrown into the Araz River is the most harmful. The heavy metals and other hazardous, toxic, and radioactive wastes brought by the Okhchuchay, which takes its beginning from Armenian territory, pollute the Araz River.

Following Araz River’s flowing into the Kur River, these hazardous materials in turn pollute the Kur River that is the main source of drinkable water for majority of Azerbaijani regions.

Moreover, as a result of Armenian military aggression, a lot of reservoirs, water tanks, ponds, rivers, lakes and springs, which are of great importance for agriculture of Azerbaijan, have been under Armenian control for two decades.

As this situation endangers the water security of entire region, ecologists warn about the inevitable consequences of Armenia’s hydro-terror.

Azerbaijani experts say Armenia should comply with international conventions to prevent pollution in the rivers.

However, Armenia has yet to join the Convention on the ‘Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.’ By joining this convention, signatory countries take on the responsibility to protect international water supplies.

Armenia has rejected joining the convention, as it deliberately pollutes transboundary rivers and ignores the consequences it can effect on the region’s ecology.

The pollution of the water sources inflicts heavy damages on villagers' households and makes it impossible for them to use river water for livestock and domestic purposes.

Armenia's ecological terror against Azerbaijan has been continuing for over 20 years. Armenia's hazardous actions, however, haven't yet met with a response from the international organizations.

While the world is grappling with ecological problems, Armenia continues to pollute rivers, and aggravate ecological situation in the South Caucasus region without recourse.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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