Yerevan, March 11 – The Yerevan Municipality has issued a statement clarifying the reasons behind the ongoing tree replacement efforts in the city. A video titled “Why are trees being replaced in Yerevan?” was released, addressing public concerns and misconceptions regarding the health of the city’s elm trees and their impact on residents’ health.
Elm Trees Infested with Pests, Not Construction Dust, Causes Allergies
According to the municipality, the elm trees in Yerevan are suffering from an internal infestation of thousands of small worms within their trunks. These pests extract nutrients from the trees, gradually weakening them. Once a tree’s resistance is compromised, it becomes vulnerable to insect attacks.
“The elm trees in Yerevan are sick. Inside the trunk, there are thousands of tiny worms that draw nutrients from the tree, gradually weakening it. When the tree loses its resistance, an insect attack begins,” stated a representative from the Yerevan Municipality in the released video.
Insects Invade Homes, Trigger Allergic Reactions
The insects, which feed on the tree leaves, are also reportedly infiltrating homes, leading to allergic problems among residents. This finding contradicts earlier assumptions by some, including a statement attributed to Kristina Vardanyan, suggesting that allergies were caused by massive construction dust, not elm beetles.
“These insects not only feed on the leaves but also penetrate homes, causing allergic problems,” the municipality explained, directly linking the pest infestation to the reported increase in allergic reactions.
Chemical Treatments Ineffective and Harmful for Older Trees
The municipality also addressed the question of why chemical treatments are not being used to combat the infestation. They clarified that high doses of chemical treatment would involve toxic substances, which are not harmless and do not lead to the recovery of old trees.
“The question arises: why aren’t you treating them? High-dose chemical treatment means toxic substances; it is not harmless and does not lead to the recovery of old trees,” the municipality emphasized, highlighting the environmental and health concerns associated with such interventions.
Tree Replacement as a Necessary Measure
The ongoing tree replacement program is presented as a necessary measure to address the widespread health issues affecting the elm trees and to mitigate the resulting allergic reactions among the population. The municipality aims to replace the diseased trees with healthier alternatives that are less susceptible to such infestations and do not pose a health risk to residents.
The announcement comes amidst a series of local news reports from Yerevan, including discussions on political candidates, financial matters, and international relations, indicating a busy news cycle in the Armenian capital.
The municipality’s detailed explanation seeks to inform the public about the complex ecological challenges facing the city’s green spaces and the rationale behind the urban forestry management strategies being implemented.
Source: Yerevan Municipality
