8.8 Billion AMD in Environmental Damage: Hovhannes Martirosyan Summarizes Inspection’s Operations for 2024

8.8 Billion AMD in Environmental Damage: Hovhannes Martirosyan Summarizes Inspection’s Operations for 2024

Hovhannes Martirosyan, Head of the Environmental and Subsoil Inspection of Armenia, presented the results of the Inspection ’s 2024 activities during a press conference summarizing its performance.

In 2024, the Inspection conducted 399 inspections, of which 180 were scheduled and 219 were unscheduled. In 2023, 292 inspections were conducted. Specifically, 87 inspections targeted mining enterprises, and 114 inspections were carried out at fish farms and small HPPs.

As a result of oversight activities in 2024, damages to the environment and the state amounted to 8.8 billion AMD, compared to 5.176 billion AMD in 2023.

Damage to water resources reached 1.3 billion AMD. The Inspection issued 101 suspension orders, 79 of which applied to entities or individuals operating in the water use sector. Among these, 44 suspension orders were issued for illegal water extraction, preventing the loss of approximately 790 liters per second or 11 million cubic meters annually.

Damage from illegal mining activities amounted to 1.691 billion AMD, with 4.5 million cubic meters of illegally extracted minerals identified.

Damage to flora and fauna amounted to 1.132 billion AMD, with 194 violations recorded, including the illegal hunting of approximately 60 animals. Seven firearms were confiscated, and 13 firearms were transferred to State Property Management Committee.

Damage caused by improper land use and illegal landfill operations totaled 2.3 billion AMD, mostly involving the misuse of agricultural lands for unlicensed or illegal waste disposal.

Damage to atmospheric air reached 2.36 billion AMD, primarily due to emissions from illegal mining activities, which included unauthorized extraction, transport, and resulting air pollution.

In 2024, the Inspection conducted 86 laboratory tests of air samples, with exceedances recorded in 22 cases. Violations related to construction activities were notably high in Yerevan due to the lack of adherence to construction norms. The Inspection carried out 77 inspections of construction companies and recorded 51 cases of uncovered transportation of loose materials.

Reports of all violations were submitted to investigative bodies, leading to criminal proceedings. Fines collected in 2024 contributed 242 million AMD to the state budget, compared to 143 million AMD in 2023.

Martirosyan also noted that measures are being taken to address these violations.



January 10, 2025 at 17:33