ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, April 20. Enterprises that caused damage to nature and water resources of Azerbaijani territories [liberated from Armenian occupation in the 2020 second Karabakh war] will be held accountable, Faig Mutallimov, head of the department at the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, said during a visit to Zangilan on April 19, Trend reports.
According to Mutallimov, Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur are rich in water resources, including 14 main rivers, nine reservoirs, mineral water deposits, and others.
"After the liberation of these lands, control, and monitoring of water resources was resumed there. As a result of the monitoring, high-level pollution of the transboundary rivers, in particular, Okhchuchay [running between Armenia and Azerbaijan], with heavy metals was determined,” he noted. “The main source of pollution is the mining enterprises of Armenia. The pollution process still continues.”
According to him, the ministry informed international organizations about the Okhchuchay river’s pollution and its environmental risks as a result of the pollution.
An appropriate research group has been established to develop a rehabilitation program using scientific approaches related to the prevention and restoration of rivers, the ministry’s representative further said.
"The research results, all assessments and revealed facts are documented. The collected documents will be submitted to the relevant authorities and the issue will be raised before the companies and enterprises which cause the pollution,” he added.