The Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia
The Republic of Armenia Forest Code primarily governs the sustainable management, protection, and reproduction of forests on designated forest lands. While its main scope is the national forestry fund, it is legally critical for Yerevan because substantial green belts within and surrounding the city—such as the Nork Forests and parts of Tsitsernakaberd—are historically or officially classified as urban forests or forest parks. These areas fall under stricter protection regimes than standard municipal green spaces, technically prohibiting the commercial logging or arbitrary land-use changes often attempted by developers.
By referencing this Code, we can challenge the municipality's treatment of these zones. Often, city officials manage these complex ecosystems as if they were simple parks or construction sites, ignoring the biological requirements mandated by forestry law. Enforcing the Forest Code within city limits forces the administration to treat these areas as ecological units requiring professional reforestation and pest control, rather than just waiting zones for future real estate projects.
Key takeaways related to urban trees
[1] Classification as special significance forests. Any forest located within city boundaries or suburban areas is legally classified as a "special significance forest." This categorization explicitly separates urban green spaces from production forests, ensuring their legal status prioritizes environmental protection over industrial utility (Article 12, 12.1.b).
[2] Strict prohibition on commercial logging. To prevent the loss of green cover in populated areas, the Code expressly prohibits "reforestation logging" in city and suburban forests. This effectively bans the clear-cutting of urban tree stands for the purpose of timber harvest and regeneration, forcing a continuous cover approach to management (Article 42.3).
[3] Priority on health and recreation. The management of city and suburban forests must prioritize cultural and health objectives. The Code mandates that these areas be used primarily for the population's rest, recreation, and the preservation of sanitary conditions, rather than for resource extraction (Article 42.2).
[4] Regulation of construction impact. Urban development projects near green spaces are regulated to protect tree health. The Code requires that the design, placement, and construction of any object on lands adjacent to forests must be executed in a way that prevents negative impacts on the forest's condition (Article 21.3).
[5] Liability for urban pollution. The Code specifically identifies the pollution of forest lands with household waste, sewage, and municipal refuse as a violation of forest legislation. This provision directly addresses common urban threats, making the dumping of trash or directing sewer output into city parks a punishable offense (Article 60.1.e).
[6] Community management authority. Municipalities (local self-government bodies) are granted the specific authority to manage, use, and dispose of community-owned forests. This empowers local city councils to oversee the maintenance and protection of urban parks and green zones within their administrative borders (Article 9.a).
[7] Allowance for sanitary maintenance. While commercial logging is banned, "sanitary cuttings" are permitted to ensure public safety in urban areas. Managers are allowed to remove trees that are dead, dried out, or have lost viability due to pests and diseases, provided these actions improve the forest's sanitary condition (Article 25.1).
[8] Restrictions on infrastructure routing. The laying of cables, pipelines, and other communications infrastructure through community forest lands requires specific consent. Changing the functional significance of forest land to accommodate such urban utilities is a regulated process that involves the local government's permission (Article 9.e).