In order to improve the field related to Specially Protected Areas of Nature (SPAN), Environment Ministry has developed a package of amendments to RA Law on Specially Protected Areas of Nature and related laws. On May 18, 2022, a public hearing was held at Environment Ministry with the participation of representatives of the public and public sectors to discuss the final version of the package.
During the meeting, Aram Aghasyan, Chief Specialist of Department of Natural Protected Areas of Nature and Biodiversity Policy of Environment Ministry, presented "On Making Amendments to RA Law on Specially Protected Areas of Nature", "On Making Amendments to RA Law on Local Self-Government", "On Making Amendments to Land Code" and the amended package of draft laws of the Republic of Armenia "On Making Amendments to RA Law on Environmental Supervision", spoke about the loopholes in the current laws and the changes made in the amended versions.
Aram Aghasyan emphasized that in the existing laws we are dealing with regimes, problems of conforming to international standards, it will be possible to refine the laws through such discussions. The ministry official noted that the new law added the purpose of creating protected areas, regulated the contradictions in RA Law on Specially Protected Areas of Nature, clarified the powers of management, included transitional provisions, whereas the norms regulated by international conventions will be included in bylaws.
"We do not have a protection regime in the current law. It is only mentioned that no activities are allowed in the sanctuary that contradict the purpose of creating a protected area, and the protection regime is decided by each of them according to its articles of association, and this is where a contradiction arises. According to RA Constitution, all prohibitions must be defined by law, so we are including it now so that there are no misinterpretations," he explained.
Aram Aghasyan mentioned that the protected landscape category has been added to the RA Law on Specially Protected Areas of Nature. "Thus, we give local governments the opportunity to create protected areas on their own initiative. In addition to this opportunity, local governments will also participate in the management process, which can contribute to rural eco-tourism," he said. According to him, the concept of biosphere reserve has been introduced.
Aram Aghasyan paid special attention to the possibility of introducing the concepts of ecological network and ecological corridor in the new law. "Agreements with communities allow for the establishment of appropriate regimes to ensure the common areas of animals and migration routes for animals. The ecological network will be provided through these corridors," he said.
It should be mentioned that in 2022 the second phase of "Promotion of Eco-Corridors in the Southern Caucasus" project was launched funded by the Economic Community of the Federal Republic of Germany by the Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Bank and implemented by WWF Armenia.
Evaluating the changes positively, in his conversation with "EcoLur", WWF-Armenia Director Karen Manvelyan, who is implementing the projet, said. "There will be a legislative basis. The existing loopholes did not allow more to be done. Now the concepts of eco-corridor and ecological network will be laid down in the law. Protected areas are connected by eco-corridors. Otherwise, it will be legislated, which will facilitate the project and ensure the stability of the project."
May 21, 2022 at 20:16