Cleaning Up Nersisyan Forest

April is considered Green Month as the World Earth Day and other Greening events – the occasions to protect the environment of our planet, is celebrated every year in April through different events and initiations. Also, the UN General Assembly has declared 2011 as an International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of forests.
Yet in spring 2010 by blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Armenia Round Table in collaboration with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, UNDP Armenia Office and Armenia Tree Project Charitable Foundation launched a tree planting event. 50 elm-trees were planed in Nersisyan forest which is located in the vicinity of the Mother See and is of historic significance for all Armenians.
On April 8, 2011 cheerful voices of youth and school-children filled in the Nersisyan Forest in Etchmiadzin town. About 45 people, the ART staff, volunteers from “Cross of Armenian Unity” NGO and students of # 5 Senior School after M. Gorki gathered to participate in a tree planting organized by the ART. The event was a logical continuation of the activities supported by the ART within its commitment to foster the improvement of Nersisyan forest.
On April 15, 2011 ART initiated next in turn a cleaning event in collaboration with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and about 40 students of # 5 Senior School after M. Gorki and their teachers.The cleaning event started with Lord ’s Prayer, a welcome address and by Fr. Hmayak Sahakyan. Involvement of the students in the events aimed an important issue – make them aware in the environmental problems and contribute to the increase of awareness on raising challenges.