EcoLur
Already 145 million cubic meters has been let out of Lake Sevan. On 11 June Hydroecology and Ichthyology Institute Director Evelina Ghukasyan made thus statement in the course of discussions of the problem on additional water outlets from Sevan. The discussion was organized by Human Rights Defender Office.
If to take into consideration that the volume of water outlets limited by law makes up 170 million cubic meters, it becomes clear that most part of them is used. Other facts were also revealed during discussions, particularly the statement made by Mher Mkrtumyan, Head of Financial-Economic Department of State Committee on Water Industry was a complete surprise, when he said that the parliament had already adopted amendments on additional outlets in the legislation on 22 June. It should be noted that the parliament website addressed that on 22 June amendments in the law were adopted in the first reading. It’s not clear when the second reading took place and why public was not aware of that.
Public rights are violated: during discussions this opinion was expressed by Silva Adamyan - Coordinator of Public Environmental Alliance, Inga Zarafyan - “EcoLur” President, Satik Badeyan – Chairman of Regional Center for Development and Studies of Gegharkounik Region, Liana Asoyan – Chairperson of “Blejyan” NGO, Gegharkounik Region, Coordinator of Gavar Aarhus Center. The stakeholders, particularly Human Rights Defender’s Office and Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology turned out not to be informed. Public, Karine Danielyan - Chairman of “For Sustainable Human Development” Association, Expert Hydrologist Qnarik Hovhannisyan, Chairman of “Shogher” Union Hasmik Aslanyan expressed their hope that the law lays down a provision, which says that not all 320 million cubic meters should be let out from Sevan, but up to 320 million, and that water outlets will be performed in lesser amount. It should be noted that Scientific-Expert Committee on Preservation of Lake Sevan Ecosystem gave its conclusion on increase in water outlets up to 280 million cubic meters.
At present the level of Lake Sevan makes up 1900 meters 47 cm, which is higher only by 3 cm as compared with that of the last year.
July 11, 2012 at 21:08