EcoLur
What are state funds allotted for the conservation of Lake Sevan are spend on? This issue concerns NGOs, as well as the residents of littoral communities of Lake Sevan. On 15 December the discussion of “On Approving Annual Complex Action Program on Preservation, Usage and Reproduction of Lake Sevan Ecosystem for 2012” took place at Visitors’ Center-Museum. EcoLur presented its “Who Will Survive in Sevan?” documentary in the frames of this discussion. The film has been shot tracking the meetings with the resident of 40 littoral communities. The main problems have been remained the same: budget funds for the conservation of Sevan are spent, but results are inadequate to the actions mentioned in the program. So, every year 60,000,000 AMD is spent from the budget for the recovery of endemic trout population, 125,000,000 AMD for shore cleaning. Nevertheless, shores are not cleaned in a proper manner, while there is practically no fish in the lake. In their turn, the locals, who propose cost-free decisions, are not included in any program. “…When in 2005 our fishermen applied to the president calling for taking measures and stopping poaching fishing, the reserves could still be saved. But now we don’t have any reserves…What about water quality, it improved due to water level increase. However, the government hasn’t undertaken anything for it. Arpa-Sevan tunnel is not used, while Vorotan tunnel was used only once for testing… SHPs eliminate fish…What are state funds spent on? It’s our money and we don’t have any idea what it’s spent on…”
December 17, 2012 at 12:53