Ministry of Ecology: Issue of water releases from Lake Sevan should be considered in complex

ArmInfo. "Now the Ministry of  Ecology is actively engaged in the implementation of the new  government program, which is aimed at solving the main, most  important issues in the field of ecology, designed for 2017-2022,"  Deputy Ecology Minister Eric Grigoryan said at a press conference on  July 17.

According to Grigoryan, the main problems for today are the solution  of tasks related to water resources, air pollution, issues of  biodiversity conservation and combating corruption. He informed that  the program for monitoring the condition of abandoned mines, often  causing significant harm to the environment, will soon start. In  addition, in order to ensure the safety of citizens, examinations  will be conducted, and, if necessary, international assessments of  the impact of abandoned mines, and residents of these territories  will be warned in advance of the dangers. "This system will help to  control the impact of abandoned mines and mines on the environment,"  said the deputy minister of ecology.

Touching upon the issue of water from Lake Sevan, Grigoryan said that  from an ecological point of view this is a serious problem, but it  should not be considered in detail. In addition, we should not forget  about the need to adjust the irrigation system in rural communities.  "it is about the whole region. To solve the issue of water supply in  general," Grigoryan said. Grigoryan also noted that cases of illegal  deforestation and damage to the environment are still being  registered in Armenia. "I have already instituted criminal  proceedings against deforestation in Ijevan and damage to Dilijan's  forest machines, I urge all the citizens of Armenia to inform the  ministry about this on 24-hour hotline in case of violations, I  assure all citizens that no such Violation will not go unpunished,"  concluded the deputy minister of ecology. 

To reminded, the Armenian government received the permission to  increase the volume of water from Lake Sevan to 270 million cubic  meters. According to experts, a decrease in the water level in Sevan  will lead to irreversible consequences, namely, to increase the water  logging process in the lake.