"EcoLur" Informational NGO has sent to Environment Ministry its recommendations regarding the draft decision "On Approving Forest Policy, Strategy and National Action Plan of The Republic of Armenia".
We propose to conduct a strategic ecological assessment (SEA) of "Forest Policy, Strategy and National Action Plan of the Republic of Armenia" document in accordance with RA Law "On Amendments to RA Law "On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expertise" (adopted on 03.05.2023 Chapter 5, Article 21, Point 1, 2).
We suggest removing the word "buildings". In the forest, we can talk only about temporary structures, not about fundamental buildings. We hope that Environment Ministry is not going to make a legislative amendment to allow construction in the forest. There was such a precedent in 2016, which caused public dissatisfaction. As a result, that legislative initiative was not implemented.
We suggest that in the list of measures of the national action plan for 2023-2030, we should plan an event about the specific requirements and conditions for the organization of tourism in the forest.
We suggest that in the list of measures of the national action plan for 2023-2030, measures should be planned in the direction of intersectoral cooperation, reduction of energy poverty, which will contribute to reducing the pressure on the forest as a result.
The measure of forest inventory and cadastre management is not included in the list of measures of the national action plan for 2023-2030. We propose to set measures and implementation dates in that list regarding forest inventory and cadastre management.
We suggest clarifying in the document what is the starting point, on which we should reach 12.9% forest cover by increasing the forest cover, and by what percentage the total forest cover will increase by 2030. We suggest to present in the document the road map of these measures, where and when, which afforestation measures are planned, who will fund it.
Armenia has committed to increase its forest cover to 20.1% by 2050 in accordance with RA Government's Protocol Resolution 41-11 of September 10, 2015, "ON GIVING APPROVAL TO INTENDED NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA UNDER THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE". However, there is a problem of territories, at the expense of which lands the forest cover will be increased.
However, there is a problem of territories, at the expense of which lands the forest cover will be increased. This strategy should prepare the ground for the work to be carried out after 2030. We suggest planning measures to inventory the areas that can be afforested in the future."
June 06, 2023 at 13:15