One of the measures aimed at lowering the level of Lake Sevan should be to bring more water through Arpa-Sevan aqueduct, RA Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan believes. On January 15, 2024, the minister summarized the results of the activities of Environment Ministry for 2023 at a press conference.
Lake Sevan
According to Hakob Simidyan, various discussions are taking place to understand where it is possible to generate additional water and bring it to Sevan. "The problem of Sevan's water level is the priority of the preservation of the ecosystem from the point of view of the environment in the sense of the ratio of water quality and water level. Now we also have professional assessments that the 1903.5 m mark is the level of the Sevan water, which will also have a direct impact on the water quality," he mentioned.
According to Hakob Simidyan, 60 million AMD have been allocated in the state budget for 2024 for monitoring the water quality of Lake Sevan.
According to the minister, Ministry will provide 495 million AMD to Foundation for Restoration of Sevan Trout Stocks and Development for Aquaculture in 2024. Hakob Simidyan also mentioned about the decrease of whitefish stocks in Lake Sevan. "According to the assessment of the National Academy of Sciences, we had 4,700 tons of whitefish in Sevan in 2022, whereas that number decreased to 3,950 in 2023."
As a result of the measures to detect violations of "Sevan" NP SNCO, 919 crab hunters were taken out of the lake in 2023, 638 live crabs were returned to the lake.
About 26 hectares of forest clearance work was also carried out in the water-covered and subject-to-water areas of Lake Sevan with the technical means of the same organization.
Water
The minister mentioned: "The use of underground fresh water should be carried out in a closed circulation system. This is vital to us. The inefficient management of the artesian basin has a sad picture, and thus the restoration of reserves is expected."
Also, a mandatory requirement for water meter "water meter" devices for online data transmission at eco-dispensing points was established for all water users, which will be effective from February 1, 2024. There are around 5,000 water intake points with 1,700 valid water use permits. Up to date, 577 have been installed, out of which 250 will be installed in 2023.
In 2023, research and location works were carried out in order to determine the future status of the deep wells of Ararat Valley and to prevent illegal water use. The number of deep wells inventoried in Armavir Region makes up 1353 and 1034 in Ararat Region. "We have recorded about a thousand illegal wells, 8 illegally exploiting wells have been suspended, 4 of which are for fish production," the minister said.
Forest
314 ha of forest cover was established in Armenia in 2023. In 2024, they plan to establish another 1000 hectares of forest. Referring to the fight against pests, Hakob Simidyan noted that biological control measures were used in 4020 hectares, and in some places the pests disappeared.
The minister also spoke about the newly created eco-patrol service, within the framework of which 24/7 protection of state forests, forest lands and specially protected areas of nature will be carried out.
Air
According to Hakob Simidyan, the monitoring system in Armenia is old. "Currently, we cannot have data, it is doubtful how accurate it is. In 2024, we will have two new devices that will measure air pollution at the present time, we will be able to separate new elements," he said.
Mining
Referring to the works of tailings subject to reclamation, the minister mentioned: "There are 10 objects subject to rehabilitation. They have prepared the design estimate documents for Nazik and Pkhrut tailings, the actual reclamation will take place in the near future, we are actively working. With an international program, we plan to carry out reclamation works in Kavart tailing dump in Kapan," he said.
EcoLur journalist Kristina Ter-Matevosyan presented to the minister about the results of chemical pollution research conducted in the last few years in four regions of Armenia: Lori, Ararat, Kotayk and Aragatsotn, asking if the ministry is interested in such data. In response, the minister responded that they undertake to study this work. "If there are economic operators who pollute nature, land and water within the framework of control, then control should be strengthened, and we will strengthen it," he emphasized.
January 16, 2024 at 13:27