Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan called at the Ministry of Nature Protection to discuss ongoing activities, objectives and planned actions with the top management of the Ministry.
Minister Artsvik Minasyan reported progress in the implementation of priorities and projected activities under the Government’s Action Plan for 2017. 25 investment projects were said underway in this area, of which 23 grant programs and 2 projects funded from the State budget to a total cost of USD 184 453.4 thousand.
Evoking the steps taken with regard to water management, Deputy Minister Khachik Hakobyan presented work on the rehabilitation of underground water resources in Ararat Valley. As he noted, as a solution to existing problems, all fisheries will be provided with an automated-centralized management system, which will lead to online monitoring of water use. Already installed on an experimental farm, the system is due to be phased out in 3 stages by next year.
The Premier stressed the importance of automatic control systems in terms of ensuring a multiplier effect. “The system should be motivating, fair and savings-oriented. I look forward to a comprehensive solution: what kind of incentives can we provide, what should we change in the legislative framework? You need to engage in dialog with businesses showing maximum respect. Let us set out such rules as would make no harm to business activities. Economic entities cannot but accept such a solution, otherwise it would be unacceptable to us,” Karen Karapetyan said, instructing to submit a proposal on the reform of the Water Resources Management Agency.
Then the Head of Government was briefed on the steps in respect of Lake Sevan. The water level is 1900.76 meters at present, with a positive growth trend provided in accordance with the applicable law. In general, a steady growth in this field can be noticed in recent years. The Government approved concept provides that the water level must come up to 1903.5 m by 2030, and the proposed target will be met should the current rate be maintained.
“We all love the Lake, but everything should be justified. We need to realize that we are going to make a responsible decision and will not place an extra burden on the economy, because I understand very well that this may lead to additional costs – road infrastructure, gas etc. Actually we have to capitalize thereupon by developing a recreation zone in this area with all necessary prerequisites, I look forward to being presented a well-grounded vision,” Karen Karapetyan said.
The Head of Government was also briefed on special protected areas, wildlife reserves, national parks and nature conservation work on monuments. After looking at the current system’s performance and achievements, the Prime Minister instructed to develop clear guidelines for the development of protected areas, which will lead to growth in revenues, development of ecotourism, maintenance of green areas and management effectiveness.
Referring to the problem of preventing illegal logging, Karen Karapetyan told those responsible to be as much intolerant as possible, exercise strict control and monitoring in order to call offenders to responsibility.
“We are exterminating our forests. You are supposed to protect our resources and, therefore, you should not tolerate instances like that,” the Premier said, instructing to submit recommendations aimed at separating the forest management and control functions, as well as on the reform of the State Environmental Inspectorate.
The Prime Minister was given detailed information on climate change-countering, mining sector management efforts and other activities.
Minister Minasyan presented the diagnosed problems, namely the lack of a unified management system and policies, inefficient management in the supply / use of natural resources, lack of an effective system of management of water basins and protected areas, corruption risks, low level of public-private cooperation in the field of environmental protection, absence of a systemic approach in the protection of ecosystems and, finally, absence of a comprehensive system of integrated monitoring of the environment and natural resources, information and accounting / inventory management.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister instructed him to submit a package of proposals.