We, the members of S.O.S. Sevan Initiative, call on the members of the newly formed RA Government, the deputies of RA National Assembly to show their will and withdraw the decision on additional omissions from Lake Sevan. On August 6, the Armenian government decided to allow up to 75 million cubic meters of additional water intake from Lake Sevan. The need to adopt the bill mentioned the fact of partially alleviating the deficit of irrigation water supply of the lands under the control of the irrigation systems fed by Sevan-Hrazdan derivation system.
The discussion of the bill was accompanied with presenting data on the filling of reservoirs and the sharp decrease in water flow in the Marmarik, Hrazdan, Kasakh and Azat rivers due to the hot weather and low precipitation. Information was provided on the early start of the irrigation season, areas with water scarcity, etc.
The issue of targeted use of proceeds from the sale of additional electricity was even raised. And there was no word on the consequences for Lake Sevan, which already has a negative balance. There was no word on the fact that Sevan has been blooming for several years, that only raising the level can save the lake from the process of swamping and waterlogging. As for the problems of irrigation water, it became clear from the substantiation of resolution 1201-A adopted by RA Government on July 22, 2021 that we have no progress in preventing the overexploitation of water resources in the Ararat artesian basin.
As 4-5 years ago, today, under the official information, 1.6 billion cubic meters of water is pumped out of the artesian basin of the Ararat Valley instead of the permissible 1.1 billion. 809 million cubic meters of this water is poured into the drainage system, flowing out of the country, disrupting the operation of the drainage systems. Meanwhile, the drying fields of the inhabitants of Ararat Valley have been left without water hoping for 170 million cubic meters of water from Sevan, which doesn’t fully reach the destination due to irrigation system losses.
Instead of minimizing these losses, taking measures to improve the ecological functions of Lake Sevan catchment area, in 2017 as a result of around 100 million cubic meters of Lake Sevan in 2017 and 40 million cubic meters of additional water in 2018, which resulted in the sale of electricity generated in the Sevan-Hrazdan Hydro Cascade having amounted to 1,645,139.6 thousand drams and 481,720.2 thousand drams, respectively. 1.4 billion AMD was directed at installation and operation of water meter measuring equipment equipped with SCADA system.
Reminder: in 2019 RA National Assembly adopted Law “On Making Amendment to RA law "On approving the annual and complex programs of measures for ecosystem restoration, preservation, reproduction and use of Lake Sevan", which says additional water intake from Lake Sevan is prohibited in the event of a negative lake balance. Additional water intake from Lake Sevan may be provided in case of drought, which is approved by the Government. In 2021, the Armenian government did not reach such a decision. That is why the executive's decision on additional water intake from Sevan contradicts RA legislation.
We call for immediate action to ensure, first and foremost, the normal flow of irrigated land in Ararat Valley by directly banning the use of water from the deep wells of Ararat Valley, and ending the illegal use of water permits to 7 known fish farms until the issue is settled. We call for ensuring the positive balance on Lake Sevan.
“EcoLur” Informational NGO
“Public Awareness Raising and Monitoring Center” NGO
“Center for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO
“Country Water Partnership” NGO
“Dalma Sona” Fund
“Khazer” Ecological and Cultural NGO
“Blejan” Environmental, Social, Business Support NGO
Green Party of Armenia
"Green Way" NGO
Econews.am Environmental, Informational web site
“Armenian Forests” NGO
“Armenia Tree Project” non-profit organization
“Biosophia” NGO
«Green Armenia» Environmental, Educational NGO
August 13, 2021 at 15:18