Pilgrims to Holy Sites in Khosrov National Park Continue to be Charged: Civic Initiative Responds

The Armenian government approved a project to restore and preserve more than 300 historic, architectural monuments in Khosrov National Reserve.

Praising the move, a youth civic initiative called “Know Your Country” says the issue the group raised 2 months ago — charging each pilgrim visiting holy sites in the reserve 3,000 drams — has not dissipated.

“The Khosrov forest director in early June tried to justify charging pilgrims by ‘the need to develop ecotourism in Armenia.’ Taking this into consideration, the Know Your Country youth initiative proposes to organize at least once a month in the summer a ‘Doors Open’ event for pilgrims visiting holy sites,” according to a statement issued by the youth initiative group, who say they are counting on Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s support in settling this issue.