ArmInfo. Strengthening the capacity of specially protected areas is a priority task of the Ministry of the protection of the suburbs. This was stated by the head of the department Artsvik Minasyan at a meeting with the Executive Director of the Caucasus Environment Fund (CNF) George Giacomini and the national fund coordinator Arman Vermishyan.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Nature Protection, Artsvik Minasyan informed that the day before the country's executive body approved a draft decision aimed at reforms in the sphere of forestry. According to the document, as the minister pointed out, it is for the Ministry of Nature Protection that implementation of the policy in the field of forestry is enshrined.
At the same time, the Minister, noting the importance of expanding cooperation with CNF, under the mandate of which is the support of specially protected areas, stressed that in the forests under the control of the "ArmForest" SNCO, which, according to the results of the legislative reforms, will be transferred to the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, there are 13 specially protected territories. The strengthening of their capabilities, as stated by Arvik Minasyan, is a top priority.
The parties discussed the results fixed for today on joint programs scheduled for 2017, as well as financial expectations of the ministry for the coming year. At the request of the executive director of the CNF, the Minister of Ecology of Armenia presented the measures taken to identify and prevent cases of illegal logging in specially protected areas. Artsvik Minasyan suggested in the future to provide funds for the acquisition of special equipment for monitoring the territory. - 0 - In the context of an unprecedented number of forest fires in Armenia in 2017, the parties also discussed issues related to the provision of specially protected areas with the necessary fire fighting equipment.