EcoLur
The the problem with the management of “Zangezour” Biospheric Comples established for the effectiveness of the management of specially protected areas of nature in Syunik Region, Armenia, remain unsolved.
The only biospheric complex in Armenia was established in 2013, which included specially protected areas of nature with different conservation regimes – “Shikahogh” state reserve, “Arevik” National Park, “Pine Park”, “Zangezour”, “Khoustoup”, “Boghaqar” and “Sev Litch” state reserve.
One of the main reasons for establishing a biospheric complex is funding. German KfW Bank expressed its willingness to provide 8.2 million Euros for the development of specially protected areas in Syunik. Therefore, the Armenian Government reached a decision to unite the specially protected areas in Syunik with the following substantiation, “The need to adopt a decision is based on the fact that different SNCOs run the specially protected areas available in Syunik Region, which doesn’t enable to reduce maintenance costs and to increase the conservation costs of specially protected areas. Thus, it will be cost-efficient for all specially protected areas to be run by a single SNCO.”
“When “Zangezour” biospheric complex was established, we had many questions: whether or not it will be effective, how the new organization will demonstrate itself both in management and technical viewpoint? It’s the combination of various SPEs of different categories and located in different parts of a rather complicated area,” said Caucasus Nature Fund National Coordinator Arman Vermishyan in his interview with EcoLur.
KfW bank hasn’t provided any funds after the establishment of “Zangezour” biospheric complex till now. The complex gets financial aid from the Caucasus Nature Fund. “Last year we concluded a contract for one year with “Zangezour” biosphric complex to understand how we will continue our work with them. Besides, taking into consideration management issues, we funded a research and made proposals how to amend the management system, as “Shikahogh”, “Arevik” National Park, “Sev Litch” all have the same status, which caused questions from the very beginning,” Arman Vermishyan said. One of CNF proposals was to leave SPEs as individual SNCOs – legal entities with their relevant conservation regimes. According to Arman Vermishyan, proposals were officially filed to Nature Protection Ministry and discussions were held, but there is no response so far.
“The Ministry is still in search. They also want to understand how to continue, as the problems are very many. This year we have concluded an agreement with “Zangezour” biospheric complex and will cover the current expenses in the amount of around 135,000 Euros to see what the results will be, as “Zangezour” biospheric complex is also very important for us, but there are too many questions. We hope to discuss these issues with the Ministry this year and to get solutions,” concluded CNF National Coordinator.
April 16, 2015 at 14:25