Environmental Protection First develops digital map exposing Armenia's ecocide

Environmental Protection First, a coalition of non-governmental organizations combating the environmental damage caused by Armenia’s mining industry, is developing a new digital map to highlight the scale of ecological harm in the South Caucasus. The map will be based on the "Mineral Resources of the Republic of Armenia" document, developed in 2024 in Azerbaijani, English, and Armenian languages.

Mugabil Bayramov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Cartographers Public Association, which is part of the coalition, shared details about the project, Caliber.Az reports. 

The digital map will identify the locations of mineral deposits, information on mining enterprises that process minerals and contribute to environmental pollution, and data on the companies involved in these operations. The map will also include satellite imagery to provide visual evidence of the impact.

Bayramov emphasized that the map, which is set to be publicly released soon, will expose the ongoing ecological violations linked to Armenia’s mining sector.

"Our coalition is actively working to uncover the truth that has been hidden from the Armenian public," he said.

"We are receiving signals that Armenia is removing the Armenian-language map of ‘Mineral Resources of the Republic of Armenia' that we posted online last year. Instead of addressing environmental crimes, Armenian authorities are attempting to conceal the facts, labeling protesters as 'traitors' and accusing them of working for Azerbaijan," Bayramov added.

The Environmental Protection First coalition is calling for the establishment of international environmental monitoring of mining operations in Armenia. Despite repeated appeals to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan since 2023, the coalition’s requests for cooperation on this issue have gone unanswered.

The development of the digital map is seen as a crucial step toward raising awareness about the environmental damage caused by Armenia’s mining industry and pushing for accountability. The coalition continues to advocate for stronger environmental oversight and transparency, with a focus on protecting the South Caucasus region's ecological health.

By Vafa Guliyeva