InfoAnda - Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

True Blood star really wanted to be a physicist | | 14 June 2010
Poll: Latin America indifferent over US election | 31 October 2008
Update: Reid Says Senate Likely To Vote Friday Evening On Stimulus | 14 February 2009

Report: Japan to unveil JAL restructuring Jan 19 | 15 January 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas AFP - Saturday, February 19 Send IM Story Print Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas BYURAKAN, Armenia (AFP) - – The Karapetians' house in the village of Byurakan lies under heavy snow, its chimney belching smoke from the iron stove which helps the family to survive the long, harsh Armenian winter. The Karapetians say that they spend most of the winter months huddling around the stove for warmth in the middle of their tiny, sparsely furnished living room. "We use the stove to heat the house and water for baths and laundry, for cooking and making tea," said Astgik Karapetian. The village has a gas supply, but like many other families in Armenia, the Karapetians use an old-fashioned wood-burning stove instead because they simply cannot afford to pay for gas -- a phenomenon that has accelerated the destruction of the country's precious forests. There was a 15 percent drop in gas consumption in the ex-Soviet republic last year as people increasingly returned to wood-stove heating following a 37 percent gas price rise -- the result of a tariff hike by Russian energy exporter Gazprom. Environmentalists fear that another potential price rise this year could create an even bigger threat to the country's forests, causing impoverished Armenians to cut down yet more trees for cheap fuel. "Imagine what will happen when, after a second increase in gas prices that's expected in April, the urban population also starts using firewood instead of gas," said Nazeli Vardanian, the head of the Armenian Forests environmental group. "As a result we will lose our forests -- the ecological consequences will be catastrophic," she said. The Karapetians' house used to stand right at the edge of a forest, said Astgik's husband David, but since the family started to chop timber for fuel, "the forest began to move further away". In Byurakan, there are piles of chopped firewood in the yard of nearly every house, as locals collect what supplies they can to see them through the winter, sometimes chopping down fruit trees in their own orchards for fuel. Another villager, Ruben Babaian, said that his house has gas installed but his family has had to stop using it. "We used to heat our house with gas because prices were affordable, but since last April when the Russians increased the gas price, we haven't be able to do it," he said. Some environmentalists believe however that organised illicit logging enterprises are to blame for the deforestation which has seriously damaged Armenia's woodlands, not impoverished villagers. "The amount of illegal logging has grown to such an extent that by 2020, international experts believe, there will be no forests left in Armenia," said Inga Zarafian, head of the campaign group Ecolur. Former environment minister Karine Danielian said that even during the desperate economic period during and after Armenia's war with neighbouring Azerbaijan in the 1990s, deforestation was much less intense than it is today. "Then people used to cut wood for heating, now tree-felling is happening on an industrial scale," said Danielian, who now runs a group called For Stable Human Development. The country's chief forestry official, Ruben Petrosian, said that the government has dedicated $55 million (40 million euros) to a longterm programme "aimed at protecting and restoring forests". But environmentalists are urging the authorities to speed up their efforts to avert more damage next winter. "Subsidies for gas must be offered to residents of remote villages and they must be allowed to collect fallen wood free of charge," said Nazeli Vardanian. Meanwhile, people in villages like Byurakan are waiting for spring to come -- and for the outcome of upcoming price negotiations with Gazprom, which could cause yet more Armenians to turn off the gas. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be Reuters - 43 minutes ago Lara Croft actor Glen to join Downton Abbey AFP - 52 minutes ago US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Saturday, February 19 Film explores centuries-old Albanian blood feuds Reuters - Saturday, February 19 Cecilia Cheung's days as famous actress numbered ANN - Saturday, February 19 News Search Top Stories Wozniacki topples Clijsters to reclaim No. 1 spot Angry protests continue throughout the Middle East G20 finance chiefs meet on global imbalances Miner Anglo American 2010 profit nearly triples Thought-controlled bionic arm unveiled in US More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Only 'best will do' for Arsenal in Barca clash More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 18 February 2011
Russian police raid office of richest woman
US-TECH Summary
US price increases hit consumers
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Uganda bans SMS texting of key words during poll
Desperate Ivorians queue for cash as banks close |
Mobile ads boom raises privacy concerns
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence |
EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda how-to-hijack notes |
Japan touts pedal-powered water purifier
Gaming wars go mobile
Somali rebels detain several pirate gang leaders |
Russian police raid firm of ex-Moscow mayor's wife |
US state scrutinizes Google search tactics
China refuses to condemn mob tactics on reporters
Machine trounces man on "Jeopardy!"
Canada says cyber-attack serious, won't harm budget
Australian diver killed in shark attack
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Downbeat S. Korean drama booed in Berlin
ST-Ericsson: ready on WP7 when Nokia is
Hawaii lawmakers vote to legalize same-sex unions
Swine flu kills 12 in Hong Kong in under a month
Cairo teen finds looted pharaonic statue
Japan PM weakened by party revolt
Intel says will find new MeeGo partners
Heady cocktail: ancient Britons drank from skulls
China denies Canada hacking involvement
Fire-hit Carnival group vows lively Rio parade
Finnish startup merges social networks, core games |
Twelve dead in Vietnam tourist boat sinking
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Scientists build first antilaser |
California court agrees to rule on gay marriage row
Internet v. Courts: Googling for the perfect juror |
Iran 'not like Egypt': top Iranian director
Russians worship 'miraculous' icon of tsar
Computer creams human 'Jeopardy!' champs
Brazil's bishops lash 'bad' reality TV
India's Essar group chief quizzed in telecom probe
Europe ratifies free trade deal with S. Korea
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
It's baby no.8 for singer Rod Stewart |
Film casts new light on Germany's Red Army Fraction |
Adrianne Palicki to play Wonder Woman in TV pilot |
Eight dead in Afghan suicide car bombing: police
Kidnapped Italian woman says being held by Al-Qaeda
Egypt pro-democracy activists plan victory march
Facebook adds civil unions to profiles
New Zealanders' 'rear view cam' an Internet hit
Egyptian prosecutor detains three former ministers
New mobile can check pulse, send ambulance
Russia mulls fingerprinting its migrants
US lawmakers close to passing huge spending cuts
Football-playing Japanese robots in Peru exhibit
Earth dodges geomagnetic storm: scientist
Iran says two warships to pass through Suez canal
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules
US price increases hit consumers
Regional jitters as Bahrain, Libya bury dead protesters |
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda "how-to-hijack" notes
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Up to 10 percent of US homes lack basic broadband
Egypt Victory March to test military rulers |
Iran accuses opposition chiefs of treason
Libyan protesters take to streets after demo deaths |
Car bomb in Iraq kills 13, wounds 33-sources
Obama to meet tech titans, including Apple's Jobs
Conflicting reports as Egypt denies barring Iran ships
U.S. sees N. Korea provocations but not missile test |
Apple's Jobs to attend Obama meeting
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents
Uganda votes after bitter presidential campaign |
Raft of players share Riviera PGA lead
Japan opposition nixes deal for PM to quit media: report |
Japan halts Antarctic whaling for rest of season
Suicide attack in east Afghanistan kills nine |
"Two and A Half Men" production to resume February 28
China upholds US geologist's conviction
In NY, Ralph Lauren opts for Chinese opulence
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Mexico's refugees: a hidden cost of the drugs war |
Top US lawmakers reject Pakistan aid cuts in feud
Curtain up on World Cup marathon
Taiwan leader says US jets critical
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
China blocks U.N. report on N.Korea nuclear breaches
India to host new international art biennale
Horse semen on the menu at N.Z. food festival
N.Korea completes missile launch tower
Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera
Russian contemporary art market takes off
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue
Apple's Steve Jobs at tech CEO meeting with Obama |
Anna Nicole Smith opera wows critics in London
Nokia CEO says final Microsoft deal in couple months |
Anna Nicole lover weighs legal move on "trashy" opera
Seoul shares open up as exporters, shipyards gain
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy
RIM says not singled out on India security demands |
US lawmakers press Taiwan to lift beef ban
Feel-good "Idol" right for the times, producer says
Antitrust regulators look at new Apple service: WSJ |
Asian market boosts Pernod sales
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight |
China urges US to treat Chinese firms fairly
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents |
Afghan govt: Bad audit compounded Kabul Bank woes
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue |
Feel-good Idol right for the times, producer says |
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy |
G20 finance chiefs meet on global imbalances
Thousands gather at Cairo's Tahrir Square
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel
Miner Anglo American 2010 profit nearly triples
Angry protests continue throughout the Middle East
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
German minister renounces PhD in plagiarism row
Afghan police: Suicide bombing in east kills 8
Bahrain troops shoot at protesters: ex MP |
Thought-controlled bionic arm unveiled in US
Berlin 'wary' of taking EADS stake
Firewall architect admits skirting China barriers
India police broaden graft probe; shares take a hit |
RIM says not singled out on India security demands
Abbas likely to reject Obama request on settlements |
HK man gets prison for hoax e-mail terror warning
US-TECH Summary
Taiwan ex-leader's wife spared prison
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
Arrest sought of US driver in Pakistan shooting
China targets leather protein in new food concern
Minimal, thoughtful: Japanese art and design in Seoul
FEATURE: New recruits build bonds at Korea's company boot camps
South Korean mountain resort upbeat on Olympic bid
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be
Rod Stewart is father for 8th time
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel |
FEATURE: Thai politicians turn to social media for election campaigning
Mexico carmaker hopes to have the last laugh
Thai PM keeps options open on ceasefire
Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas
Tap, trace, doodle: choices abound for phone users |
Thailand launches probe on palm oil hoarding
So much data, so little money for mobile operators |
Once-feared Tunisian ministry sets up Facebook page |
Inflation-hit India gains new price measure tool
Japan's Bridgestone net profit up, eyes 2011 fall
TomTom faces squeeze from rivals' free services |
Seoul shares rebound as shipyards rally
Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries
Trade pact is 'win-win' for S. Korea, EU: envoy
Asian property market surges 59% in 2010: report
Pakstani c.bank to buy t-bills in 7-day reverse-repo
Pakistan
S.Korean shipyards jump led by Daewoo order hopes
Japan's Skymark signs for six Airbus A380s
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be |
Film explores centuries-old Albanian blood feuds |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01