EcoLur
The parliament has already adopted the governmental proposal on making amendments in the laws protecting Lake Sevan and approved in the first reading the increase in water outlets from the lake up to 320 million cubic meters, instead of the limit of 170 million; 93 deputies voted “for” and 12 deputies – “against”. The law was introduced by the governing coalition – RPA and OY and the representatives of the Prosperous Armenia joined them. That is, nothing has changed as compared with the last parliament.
It’s rather interesting that the parliamentarian committee on agriculture and nature protection as represented by Samvel Balasanyan, RPA, didn’t allow public representatives to take part in the discussion of this proposal.
Taking care of agriculture, the deputies ignored the fact that land areas in Ararat Valley are not irrigated because of absence of rains, but farmers are extremely poor and can’t pay for water before they get and sell their harvest. This is one of the reasons why land areas in Ararat Valley are not cultivated and become useless. Under Ararat Aarhus Center, the number of such land areas is about 30,000 ha.
At the same time, the farmers in Gegharkounik region got very poor harvest in forage herbs this year. It’s unknown how to feed animals, which are the only source of income for adjacent communities. The littoral area is seized by oligarchs, no fish. “The only way out is to leave the country.”
June 25, 2012 at 14:28