Armenia’s environmental regulator found that a small hydropower plant in the Syunik province exceeded its water intake limits, threatening the flow of the Shaki waterfall. The Nature and Mineral Resources Inspection Body launched an investigation following complaints from local residents regarding the reduced water volume at the natural landmark.
Inspectors determined that the plant operator, Hakobjanyan and Galstyan HPP, withdrew more than 13.5 million cubic meters of water beyond its permitted license. The company failed to adhere to monthly quotas and state-mandated schedules designed to maintain the hydrological balance of the Shaki River.
The regulatory body estimated the environmental damage at 27 million Armenian drams (approximately 70,000 USD). The company’s management will face administrative proceedings as a result of the findings.
The impact of small hydropower facilities on river ecosystems has become a recurring issue for environmental oversight in Armenia. Government agencies have increased monitoring of these plants to prevent ecological damage to the country’s water resources and protected sites.
