EcoLur
'Under the measure program approved for 2013, the Nature Protection Ministry implemented about 20 projects. The budget of the ministry has long been fluctuating around 2.3 billion AMD and we have implemented programs in the frames of these funds,' said Nature Protection Minister Aram Harutyunyan on 27 December at the final press conference for 2013 held at Nature Protection Ministry.
The Minister started finalizing the results of the year from the works relating to Lake Sevan, 'We have a water level increase by 5-6 cm. In parallel with the level increase the ministry projects for 2013 were implemented connected with water transparency, replenishment of endemic fish species, cleaning of tree-covered territories. Projects ranging 40 billion AMD and over have been approved,' the Minister said.
What about the water resources, Aram Harutyunyan mentioned around 5 illegal wells in Ararat Valley had been closed and liquidated. He also referred to biodiversity, 'In the viewpoint of biodiversity the year of 2013 was rather significant. The number of protected areas, national parks and reserves was increased in 2012. Besides the state budget, our investments increased by 3-4 times during the last three years. The Caucasus Nature Fund has allotted an additional 180 million AMD to our specially protected areas.'
Under Aram Harutyunyan, the Nature Protection Ministry also has initiatives for the next year, 'Next year our projects will continue, we have very many new initiatives, particularly 'Deers Project' in Dilijan, where we are establishing a new center for the reproduction of deers.'
Besides the mentioned topics, many questions and problems were raised during the press conference, and EcoLur will present the Minister's position towards them in its next publications.
December 28, 2013 at 11:48