Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) continue the energy-efficient outdoor lighting systems installation in the remote settlements of Armenia. Development of infrastructure is important both in terms of the creation of eco-villages network and equally for the purpose of mitigating the development gap between the country’s capital and rural areas.
Energy-efficient technologies were installed in the Hermon, a settlement in Vayots Dzor region, two years ago. The number of illuminated streets has been increased this year. The introduction of this modern infrastructure has been carried out in stages. With the first project, 33 LED lights were installed and a kilometer-long street was illuminated. As a result, we resolved an issue which the settlement had been facing for some 27 years, ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the second project, 23 LED lights were installed; Hermon now has 55 LED lights. This energy-efficient lighting system allows illumination of around 2 kilometer-long territory, encompassing the main streets in the settlement.
Due to the current situation, the parties to the project were unable to be present at the launching of the new system, but a poll has some interesting details about what the locals think of the system.
As a rule the local administrations are the first to evaluate the efficiency of the modern system, underlining the reduction of expensed and budget savings. This is an important indicator for the villagers, for they know the savings can be steered to solving other problems. The residents of Hermon shared their opinions and insights of the positive impact of the program.
The small farm owners stated that there was a noticeable increase in activity and initiatives in the village. The lighting system contributed to the safe nightlife and reduced the number of bear attacks on beehives.
Environment-friendly and energy-efficient LED lamps consume 80% less electricity and serve up to 50 times longer.
Eco villages network includes selected intentional or traditional communities throughout Armenia, that are consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate their social, cultural, economic and natural environments. The core idea behind the whole concept of the ecovillages is integrating the four dimensions of sustainability – ecological, economic, cultural and social – through integral, participatory design. The project is a new format of the long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), Viva-MTS and the Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was founded in Y2002. FPWC is a member organization of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since Y2012. FPWC’s mission is to publicize the unique natural heritage of Armenia and the importance of biodiversity conservation, environmental issues and the importance of preserving nature. We aim to reduce human and wildlife conflict and its consequences to reduce the risks of endangered species of flora and fauna. Biodiversity conservation, environmental education, community development and public awareness are the main directions of our activities.
Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July Y2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System). For more information, visit www.mts.am
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC (“MTS”) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.8 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since July Y2000, MTS’ Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com