REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA MINISTRY OF NATURE PROTECTION
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007 - 2011
YEREVAN 2011
2 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The 2007-2011 Ministerial Report was developed by the working group of the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia.
The 2007-2011 Ministerial Report was translated and published with financial assistance of the United Nations Development Programme in Armenia
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 3
CONTENTS Foreword of Mr. Aram Harutyunyan, Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia ...... 4 Introduction ...... 7 1. State Governance of the Environment. Mechanisms for Nature Protection ...... 8 1.1 Legislation Regulating the Environmental Sector and Institutional Issues ...... 8 1.2 Economic Mechanisms ...... 10 1.3 Awareness, Participation and Environmental Education ...... 22 1.3.1 Participation and Public Awareness ...... 22 1.3.2 Environmental Education ...... 24 1.4 Environmental Monitoring ...... 25 1.5 Inspection Control ...... 31 1.6 International Cooperation ...... 34 2. Environmental Protection ...... 43 2.1 Conservation of Natural Resources ...... 43 2.1.1 Biological and Landscape Diversity. Specially Protected Areas...... 43 2.1.2 Water Resources ...... 50 2.1.3 Land Resources ...... 58 2.1.4 Environmental Impact of Mining Industry ...... 60 2.1.5 Atmosphere ...... 62 2.2 Management of Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals ...... 63 3 Global Issues within National Context ...... 67 3.1 Climate Change ...... 67 3.2 Ozone Layer Protection ...... 68 3.3 Combating Desertification ...... 70 4 National Priorities ...... 72 4.1 Lake Sevan Issue ...... 72 4.2 Forest Protection ...... 74 4.3 Environmental Issues Associated with Mining Industry ...... 76 4.4 Towards “Green” Economy ...... 78 4.4.1 Introducing Green Technologies ...... 79 4.4.2 Organic Agriculture ...... 82 4.4.3 Introduction of relevant environmental management schemes in business operations ...... 85 5 Major Achievements of 2007-2011 ...... 88 Abbreviations ...... 89 Annexes ...... 90 4 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Dear Reader,
This Report represents an overview of the system operations by the Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia and encompasses the current situation within the sector; the operations carried out throughout the period of 2007- 2011, the issues of high priority and the development trends. The Report seeks to summarize the accomplished activities, to assess the achievements and identify prospective opportunities. Additionally, the realities that evolved in the result of the operations carried out during the period from Belgrade to Astana have also been covered by this Report. The reportable period is distinguished by several key features: as a primary achievement among the internal developments in Armenia, it can be tentatively characterized as a period of “establishment of national parks” having in mind the creation of two new national parks, namely “Arpi Lich” and “Arevik” along with the existing two others. Apart from that, efforts have continued towards the resolution of Priority One Environmental Issue in Armenia, the problem of Lake Sevan, where the results obtained can be evaluated as efficient. The efforts in this particular area have been visible and accessible not only for the limited circle of experts, but also for the general public who are full of optimism due to the consistent undertakings towards the resolution of the problem of Lake Sevan, both in terms of present-day state of affairs and future prospects. The Belgrade Declaration encourages the movement towards international issues by means of implementing the activities incorporated in nationwide projects, the enforcement of mechanisms for environmental assessments and reportability, development of transboundary cooperation, and internationalization and standardization of ecology problems through the expansion of regional collaboration. Given the above, during the period of 2007-2011, Armenia made its contribution as a member of the global community to ensure that within the scope of the UNEP certain principles of the global environmental governance initiative are revised with the incentive to make it more practical, to direct it towards the
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 5
enhancement of international agreements’ effectiveness and to avoid replication of efforts. In the area of sustainable development, the National Council for Sustainable Development headed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has become more dynamic. Furthermore, the 2009-2012 Action Plan ensuring sustainable development in the country is underway. Armenia is planning to partake in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2012. The government of the Republic of Armenia has already issued its Resolution and supported the establishment of a Commission to coordinate the preparatory activities associated with participation of the Republic of Armenia in the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. Collaboration with the Global Environment Facility has become more functional. Armenia has developed and presented to GEF its national portfolio of project proposals for funding within the framework of GEF-5. Along with 21 other countries who had pending requests to join the GEF Small Grant Programme (SGP), Armenia joined the SGP, which has provided opportunities for the enhancement and strengthening of communities and non government organizations dedicating their work to environmental issues. During the reportable period another project was developed and approved by the government of the Republic of Armenia in 2008. That is the strategic document called Second National Environmental Action Programme. A new phase commenced in 2010 for the development of cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union related to the signing of the “Armenia-EU Association Agreement”. Armenia has made its contribution to the activities of the Committee on Environmental Policy of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. To ensure Armenia’s proper participation in the Seventh "Environment for Europe" Ministerial Conference to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, a special commission was established in 2011 whose agenda, among other important issues, included the discussion and formulation of the country’s position on the principal documents prepared by the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy for the Seventh Environment for Europe" Ministerial Conference, namely “Sustainable Management of Water and Water-Related Ecosystems” and “Inclusion of Environmental Regulations in Economic Development Programmes” /Green Economy/. During the period of 2007-2012 the Republic of Armenia ratified four more international agreements on the environment.
6 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Dear Reader, This report is concurrent with the Twentieth Anniversary of Independence in the Republic of Armenia. September 21 is the Independence Day in Armenia. In addition, this Report recapitulates the twenty-year operation of the Authorized Environmental Entity of Armenia during the period that followed the establishment of independence in this country. Our success supported by scientific, professional and public involvement, allows looking at our future with more optimism and confidence, targeting at more challenging issues and achieving their resolution.
n Aram Harutyunyan Minister of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 7
Introduction
The territory of the Republic of Armenia lies in the north-eastern part of the Armenian Highland, within the borderline of Caucasus and Western Asia/Middle East. The Republic of Armenia is bordered by Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Turkey to the west and south-west, and Iran to the south. The Republic of Armenia covers a territory of 29.743 square kilometers. Maximum extension of its territory from north to south-east is 360 kilometers, and from west to east 200 kilometers. Around 4.8 percent of the country’s territory is covered by lakes, mainly the surface of the Lake Sevan.
Distribution of Armenia's Territory by Altitudes 35 30 25 % 20 15 31.5 24.5 10 18.3 5 9.6 12 3.3 0 0.1 0.1 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Altitude (m.a.s.l) Armenia is a mountainous country with complicated geological composition and diverse landscape. Around 76.5 percent of the country’s territory is located at an altitude of 1000-2500 meters above sea level. The minimum altitude is 375 meters above sea level. The maximum altitude is 4095 meters at the summit of Mount Aragats. Existence of various altitudes is an important factor for the climate and the formation of vertical landscape zones. Armenia's territory has high seismic activity with exogenous processes that contribute to the evolvement of landslides and land erosion.
Summit of Mount Aragats (4095 m)
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1. STATE GOVERNANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. MECHANISMS FOR NATURE PROTECTION
1.1. Legislation Regulating the Environmental Sector and Institutional Issues
Legislation The complete list of laws policy implementation between the regulating the environmental sector of structural and segregated divisions of the Republic of Armenia is represented the Ministry, a series of institutional in Annex 1. reforms were carried out within the During the period of 2007-2011, Ministry of Nature Protection in 2010 the Republic of Armenia adopted a resulting in the establishment of new number of laws to regulate the sector divisions and departments, and of environment, including the Law of restructuring of the old ones, the Republic of Armenia “On Hunt specifically: and Hunting Economies”, as well as amendments and supplements to 1. Through separation, the Division around 15 laws in conformance with of Environmental Protection was restructured into the Department the development prospects of the of Biodiversity Policies, country and targeted at the Department of Water Resource improvement of its legislation. Policies and Department of Apart from the aforementioned Atmospheric Air; laws, within the period of 2007-2011, 2. The Legislation Department of 227 other legal acts were adopted the Normative and Methodology Division was merged with the towards the regulation of the Legal Division; the Department environmental sector, including 196 of Standards and Technical resolutions by the government and the Regulations was joined with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Division of Economy and further Armenia and 31 ministerial acts restructured by means of approved by the Minister of Nature separation into the Division of Environmental Strategic Protection of the Republic of Armenia Programmes and Monitoring, and and registered with the state. the Department of Procurement Process Implementation; Institutional 3. The Division of Subsoil, Land To increase the management Protection and Geological efficiency of the Ministry, as well as to Monitoring was renamed into the Division of Subsoil and Land establish clear-cut allocation of Protection Policies; functions for policy development and
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 9
4. The Division of Hazardous 10. “Armenian State Service for Substances and Waste Hydrometeorology and Management was restructured Monitoring” SNCO; into the Division of Hazardous 11. “Nature Museum” SNCO; and Substances and Waste Policies; 12. “Environmental Expert Review” 5. Through separation, the SNCO. Secretariat was reorganized into In 2008, upon the Resolution No. an Economic Department; 635 of the Government of the Republic
6. A new structural unit was of Armenia dated 15 May, 2008, the established within the Ministry named the Department of Internal Ministry of Energy and Natural Audit; Resources of the Republic of Armenia 7. A new segregated unit was was bequeathed with the powers of the created within the Ministry’s Authorized Body under the Law of the Cabinet named the Agency for Republic of Armenia “On Subsoil Waste and Atmospheric Concession”, with the exception of the Emissions. authorities described under Articles Following 2007, certain changes 59, 60, 61, 62 and 65 of “Section VII: took place in the number of the state- Protection of the Environment” of the owned non commercial organizations aforementioned law. operating in subordination of the As a result, the “Republic Ministry of Nature Protection of the Geological Fund” SNCO was Republic of Armenia. As of 2007, the transferred under the subordination of following twelve state-owned non- the Ministry of Energy and Natural commercial organizations (SNCO) Resources of the Republic of Armenia. were operating under the Ministry: Upon the Resolution No. 532-N of the Government of the Republic of 1. “Republic Geological Fund” Armenia dated 15 May, 2008, SNCO; “Armenian State Service for 2. “Sevan National Park” SNCO; Hydrometeorology and Monitoring” 3. “Dilijan National Park” SNCO; SNCO was transferred under the 4. “Reserve and Park Complex” subordination of the Ministry of SNCO; 5. “Shikahogh State Reserve” Emergency Situations of the Republic SNCO; of Armenia. 6. “Khosrov Forest State Reserve” At present, there are thirteen SNCO; state-owned non-government 7. “Waste Research Center” organizations operating under the SNCO; Ministry: 8. “Center for Information
Analysis” SNCO; 1. “Arevik National Park” SNCO; 9. “Environmental Impact 2. “Sevan National Park” SNCO; Monitoring Center” SNCO; 3. “Dilijan National Park” SNCO; 10 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
4. “Arpi Lich National Park” 12. “Environmental Expert SNCO; Review” SNCO, and 5. “Reserve and Park Complex” 13. “Center for Hydrometeorolo- SNCO; gical Monitoring” SNCO. 6. “Shikahogh State Reserve” 14. “Center for Environmental SNCO; Projects’ Implementation” 7. “Khosrov Forest State Reserve” SNCO SNCO; Creation of the “Arevik National 8. “Waste Research Center” Park” and “Arpi Lich National Park” SNCO; state-owned non-government organi- 9. “Center for Information Analysis” SNCO; zations was conditional upon the fact 10. “Environmental Impact that the process of formation of Monitoring Center” SNCO; national parks in the Republic of 11. “Nature Museum” SNCO; Armenia is in progress.
1.2 Economic Mechanisms
For the purpose of mitigating the aforementioned economic mecha- negative impacts on the environment nisms. Apart from that, in certain and ensuring efficient (sustainable) instances the volumes of environ- utilization of natural resources in the mental pollution has gone down. Republic of Armenia (regulatory role), In parallel with the efficiency as well as to ensure generation of enhancement of the inspectoral financial resources (cash flow supervision operations and the increase) for environmental economic growth in the country, investments and replenishment of state substantial increase has been recorded budget (fiscal role), a specific system and is still being traced in the cash of economic mechanisms (leverage) flows to the state budget through the has continued to act through the collection of nature protection and enforcement of the Law of the nature utilization payments, creating Republic of Armenia “On Nature favorable conditions for the funding of Protection and Nature Use Payments” various projects and activities aimed at currently in effect, and certain sub- the resolution of critical environmental legislative acts designed to ensure the issues within the republic. During the implementation of that law. Due to this past 12 years their volumes have circumstance, there has been a increased by 15 times growing from significant increase in the revenue 608.0 million Armenian drams in 1998 flow to the state budget of the country to a level of 9102,5 million Armenian through the execution of the drams in 2010.
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 11
Specific weight of nature protection and nature use payments (in %) within the GDP of the Republic of Armenia
0.35
0.3 0.25 0.29 0.2 0.28 0.2 0.25 0.26
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
In spite of the above, the specific assessments, in countries with similar weight of nature protection and nature development levels as in Armenia, an use payments (in %) within the GDP annual depreciation or damage of in the Republic of Armenia remains GDP's 8-10% is inflicted on the low, with consideration of the fact that environment due to economic it distinguishes the size of operations, which means that the compensation amounts collected actual harm to the natural environment against the depreciation (damage) of exceeds those compensation amounts the environment because of economic by more than 32-40 times. activities. According to the expert
Dynamics of state budget cash flows from nature protection and nature use payments during the period of 2006-2010 TTo Nature Utilization and Nature Protection Payments (billion AMD) 2006-2010 Nat. Util. Nat.Pt Prot. Payments 11 9.966 9.185 10 9.103 9 8 7 6.535 6.121 6 5.693 5.167 5 5.01 4 3.988 4.174 4.273 4.289 3.935 3
2 2.547 1.832 1 0 Years 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 12 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
a. Economic Instruments hazardous substances into the (environmental payments) Aimed at surrounding environment, for the Pollution Reduction allocation of production and
consumption wastes, for the The system of environmental production and import of products that payments has been in effect in represent a hazard for the environment. Armenia since 1993. Those payments are collected for the emission of
Nature Protection Payments in 2006-2010
.
5693.2 6000 5167.4 5010.8 5000 4288.7
4000
2547.5 3000
2000
1000 ().
0
Nature Protection Payments (in million AMD (in million Payments Nature Protection 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years
The fluctuations in the collection volumes of the state budget proceeds of Armenia during the period of 2008-2010 have been conditional upon the financial and economic recess of that period. According to the annual results of 2008, the actual proceeds from the environmental payments under consideration have amounted to 5.6 billion Armenian drams, exceeding the same actual annual indicator for 2006 by 2.23 times. This has mainly been stipulated by the enforcement of the new (2007) Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Rates of Environmental Payments”. The substantial decrease of environmental payment volumes recorded in 2009 and associated with the financial recess was almost completely reinstated in 2010 and, as indicated by the actual indices for the first semi-annual period of 2011, and tends to exceed the highest level of collections registered in 2008.
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 13
Payment in Payments for Air Basin Pollution in 2006-2010 Million AMD 3604.5 3900 3599.2 3250.5 3600
3300 2739.6 3000
2700
2400
2100
1800 1340.9 1500
1200
900
600
300
Years 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Payments for Waste Allocation in 2006-2010 Payment in Million AMD 100.9 105
90
75 55.7 50.3 60
45 34.4 30.5 30
15
0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years
14 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Payments for Environmentally Harmful Products in 2006-2010
2000 1800 1600 1824.8 1547.8 1400 1200 1001.1 1261.7 1000 1129.3 800 600 400 Payment in million AMD Payment in million AMD 200 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years
The financial crisis, nonetheless, payment system in Armenia are did not have any significant impact on specified below: the collection of environmental 1. Due to the fact that no adequate payments for the emission of research has been carried out and (or) no such investigation is hazardous substances into water basins available, the real dimensions of the and allocation of wastes. Moreover, as damage currently caused to the opposed to other types of payments, environment and inflicted on it in there was an increase in the volume of the past through pollution have not collections conditional upon the been assessed, as a result of which circumstance that the level of such the rates of environmental payments was primarily dependent payments do not correspond and are not commensurate to the size of upon the volume of utility services such damage; rendered for the population. On the other hand, as a result of the The effective rates of the implementation of the new Law of the environmental payments are based Republic of Armenia “On the Rates of upon the following: Environmental Payments” there has a) First of all, the indices or been an increase in the level of criteria of compensation calculation of the actual volume of developed through research such types of payments. activities in the Soviet period do not correspond to the present Nonetheless, despite the needs; undeniable progress in this area, the b) Secondly, the indices or criteria system under consideration has a of compensation developed number of problems as well. The through research activities in the challenges that hinder the process of Soviet period do not have modernization of environmental sufficient substantiation, given that they have been derived on
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 15
the basis of theoretic or other countries has shown that the comparative computation. tariffs operating in Armenia are
significantly low, in particular those Comparison of the rates of the for the main pollutants. Some environmental payments for the examples reflecting the above pollution of the surrounding nature assertion are given below. with the respective rates effective in
For sulphur dioxide ( SO2) Country Environmental payment rate for the emission of 1 ton into the air basin Within the rate limits Exceeding the rate limits /in euro/
In Armenian In Euros For levels For levels drams exceeding the exceeding the rate limit up to rate limit more 5 times than 5 times Armenia 1800 3.4 17 34 Canada 8.35 Australia 10.0 Average for Eastern European countries (Czech 33.75 Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia) Serbia 57.5 Poland 110.0 Belarus 120.0 Sweden 1535.0
16 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
For Nitric Oxides (NOx) Country Environmental payment rate for the emission of 1 ton into the air basin Within the rate limits Exceeding the rate limits /in US dollars/ In Armenian In Euros For levels For levels drams exceeding the exceeding the rate limit up to rate limit more 5 times than 5 times Armenia 14800 39.4 196.8 394.0 Average for Eastern European countries (Czech 55 Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia) Belarus 480 Sweden 5900
Given the necessity of creating polluting the environment to take favorable conditions for economic measures towards the reduction of development in the country during the such pollution. In practice, making initial years of Independence, the environmental payments turns out to relatively low level of rates for be more advantageous, economy wise, environmental payments do not as compared to the costly purchase and credibly reflect the genuine economic installation of new, ecologically safe value of the resource/damage; “Green” technologies and equipment. therefore those rates do not have The further increase in pollution sufficient impact on the ecological levels globally may lead to unpredic- behavior of economic entities. table ecological repercussions, the The relatively low level of rates resolution of which requires and year- for environmental payments do not by-year will be requiring larger create possibilities for their utilization financial investments. As a fiscal tool as effective instruments to mitigate ensuring generation of environmental unfavorable impacts on the investments and financial resources for environment in Armenia and as a the replenishment of the state budget regulatory instrument to ensure the (increase of cash flows), those efficient (sustainable) use of natural financial investments even at present resources. Low rates fail to create are unable to be stocked up through incentives for the enterprises that are environmental payments.
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 17
On the other hand, taking into ecological fees to water supply/ consideration the necessity of water drainage companies; b) Nonpayment of environmental economic development and creation of payments for the wastes beneficial conditions for certain allocated in waste collection branches of economy during the initial facilities by mining companies, years of Independence, nowadays it conditional upon the established would be risky to continue the practice zero level of rate. of exercising privileges for the payment of environmental fees since b. Target Payments towards the Efficient Use of Natural Resources in practice they bring forward The system of nature utilization irrational (unreasonable) utilization of payments has been in effect in natural resources. In particular, Armenia since 1993. Those payments examples of such privileges are are charged for water use, represented below: extraction/extinction of minerals, a) The practice of granting privileges for the payment of utilization of biological resources, etc.
Payments for Nature Use (in million AMD) in 2006-2010 4173.8 4500 3987.7 4000 4273 3935.2 3500
3000
2500 1831.8 2000
1500
1000
500
0 Nature Utilization Payments (in million AMD) million (in Payments Utilization Nature Years 2006 2007 2008 2009 201
During the period of 2006-2010 annual period of 2011, they tend to there have been no substantial changes exceed the maximum level of in the collection level of nature collections recorded in 2008. utilization payments. Because of the The fluctuations in the levels of economic and financial recess, during collections for subsoil utilization 2009 their collection level significantly during the reportable period were decreased, which was almost conditional upon the essential completely reinstated in 2010. As reduction of mining and construction evidenced by the actual indicators of volumes due to the financial and those collections for the first semi- economic crisis, as well as upon the 18 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
decline of the prices for precious and No major variations in the non-ferrous metals (especially collection levels of biological resource molybdenum) on the international utilization payments during the markets leading to a substantial reportable period have been recorded. decrease of nature utilization payments Furthermore, in 2010 an increase of estimated on their basis. more than 33.0 percent was recorded, The minor variations in the as compared to 2007, which was collection levels of water utilization mainly conditioned by the growth of payments during the period under levels of industrial crayfish hunt. consideration have also been caused by the financial and economic recess.
Payments for Utilization of Underground Resources (in million. AMD) during the Period of 2006-2010 3730.9 3870 3986.3
3646.3 4000 3500 3000 2500 1604.3 2000 1500 Payment in million AMD Payment in million 1000 500 0 Years 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Payments for Water Use (in million AMD) for the Period of 2006-2010 .
250 219.6 199.2 176.6 200
142.6 128.7 150
100
50 Water use payments (in million AMD) (in use payments Water
0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 19
Payments for use of Bio-resources (in million AMD) for the Period of 2006-2010 128.1 140 112.2 120 84.2 87.5 100 84.9 80
60
40
20 Payment in million AMD 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Years
The problems existing within the environment/basis for the increase of system under consideration are almost funding levels for a variety of projects identical with the issues presented and activities aimed at the resolution above for the nature utilization of environmental issues in the country. payments. In individual instances However, it should be noted that (specifically water use) the zero level or because of the limited availability of low rates established for the utilization financial sources for the country in of resources does not contribute to the general, environmental activities are efficient and (or) rational utilization of still regarded as lower priority among natural resources. the budgetary cost priorities. As a result, when it comes to the ratio of the c. Targeted Use of Environmental costs on nature protection activities and Payments GDP, Armenia occupies one of the
lowest positions among the countries of The receipts of the state budget Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central from environmental and nature Asia. utilization payments create beneficial
2008 2009 2010 Allocations from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia for the activities aimed at environmental 3.0 3.9 4.9 protection (in billion Armenian drams) Actual cash inflows into the state budget of the Republic of Armenia (in billion Armenian drams) for environmental and nature utilization payments (source 6.12 9.97 9.10 of information: Annual Implementation Report on the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia)
49.0 39.1 53.8 Indicators of targeted use of payments (in percentage) 20 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Specific weight of the allocations from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia for the activities aimed at environmental protection (in %) against the GDP of the Republic of Armenia
2008 2009 2010 GDP of the Republic of Armenia /in billion Armenian drams/ 3568.2 3102.8 3461.9 (in billion Armenian drams) 3.0 3.9 4.9
Specific weight of the allocations from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia for the activities aimed at 0.08 0.12 0.14 environmental protection (in %) against the GDP of the Republic of Armenia
The fact that the specific weight utilization payments for the second of the allocations from the state budget budget year preceding the given year”. of the Republic of Armenia for the The law was enacted in 2001. activities aimed at environmental protection has demonstrated a Direction Two tendency of insignificant but still The implementation framework ‘growth’, can be considered as a of the Law of the Republic of Armenia positive development. “On the Targeted Utilization of The resolution of the current Environmental Payments Performed problems in the area of targeted by Companies” has been extended, due utilization of environmental and nature to which the environmental payments protection payments in Armenia are charged from mining metallurgical sought in several directions: companies have been allocated to the impacted communities for the funding Direction One of environmental and healthcare In order to ensure that the use of activities. the collected environmental and nature Within the scope of the protection payments is targeted, implementation of the 2004-2010 state through a respective provision budget of the Republic of Armenia, the supplemented to the Law of the amount of subventions allocated for Republic of Armenia “On the environmental projects has grown Budgetary System of the Republic of from 131.4 thousand Armenian drams Armenia” it has been prescribed that in 2004 to 165.7 million Armenian “the costs provided for by the state drams in 2011. Effective 2011, twenty- budget each year for nature protection six companies have been granted the projects shall not be less than the right of receiving subventions for the aggregate sum of the actual proceeds implementation of environmental from environmental and nature projects.
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 21
Direction Three excess of a total 260 million Armenian drams, enabling the With consideration of the execution of a series of important international experience and in order environmental activities and to accumulate the necessary funds for projects. In conformance with Resolution the implementation of environmental No. 517-N of the government of investment/target programmes the Republic of Armenia dated 28 (projects) in Armenia, a corresponding April 2011, a Fund for system of environmental funds was Rehabilitation, Preservation and created and is operating involving, in Development of Lake Sevan has particular, the following: been established to support the In 2004, in conformance with restoration of the status of Lake Resolution No. 891-N of the Sevan as a strategically important government of the Republic of depository of fresh water, its Armenia dated 10.06.2004, a reproduction, preservation, Fund for Forest Rehabilitation natural development and and Development was established utilization, as well as acquisition to support the process of forest of adequate resources to ensure rehabilitation in the Republic of the cleanness of water in the lake. Armenia and to create favorable conditions for the devilment of The possibilities of increasing the forests in the country. specific weight of environmental costs Effective 2005, an Environmental through public or budgetary funds are Protection Monetary Fund has still quite limited in Armenia. been operating to accumulate The private sector, including the corresponding guaranteed financial sector, can play a major part amounts for the recultivation, flattening, landscaping, tree- in increasing the sector’s funding planting and construction volumes. So far the involvement of operations on the territories that sector in the funding of deteriorated from the exploitation environmental issues has been of subsoil. As of 01.05.2010, an insignificant or insufficient. aggregate sum in excess of 350 million Armenian drams had 1. Involvement of the private been collected. sector in the process of funding of Effective 2005, an extra- environmental issues is currently realized budgetary account named in two options or through two channels: “Environmental Target Fund” has • in the form of environmental been in effect in the Republic of or nature protection payments channeled Armenia. According to the results into the state budget (although a certain for the period of 2005-2010, portion of those amounts, unfortunately, physical and legal entities of the is not further re-channeled into the Republic of Armenia had made environmental sector); voluntary donations, contributions • in the form of investments at and offerings to the Fund in various enterprises and organizations for 22 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
the reduction of pollution and other of merely declarative nature and are environmental purposes. not operational. 2. Financial sector participation Within the scope of improving is strictly limited due to the fact that: a/ first and foremost, the legislative and methodological environmental programs or projects are frameworks for the employment of the not financially attractive; principles of “Green” economy in b/ on the other hand, the legal Armenia, it is imperative that specific framework regulating the environmental actions be carried out in the following sector is imperfect. directions: Involvement is limited also a. Development of policies for the because of the absence of an adequate establishment of favorable legal framework (required, in conditions for the particular, for the introduction of a implementation of preferable system of environmental insurance). environmental technologies by the state; d. Promoting “Green” Production b. Establishment of respective economic and financial mechanisms aimed at the Despite the fact that the effective encouragement of “Green” legislation of Armenia contains technology introduction. provisions that encourage environ- In these processes the public mental objectives, those provisions do support from representatives of civil not have adequate mechanisms for society is not fully utilized, along with their practical implementation; the opportunities for cooperation therefore it can be stated that they are between public and private sectors.
1.3 Awareness, Participation and Environmental Education
1.3.1. Participation and Public Awareness The Ministry of Nature Department ensures communication Protection of the Republic of Armenia with the mass media organizes has undertaken a number of activities meetings for the Ministry’s to enhance public awareness on Department Heads with journalists and environmental issues. provides feedback to the publications There is a Public Relations in the printed press. Apart from that, Department within the Ministry’s the Ministry comprises an Information structure assigned with the primary Analysis Center, which is responsible task of devising and implementing the for a number of activities that were Ministry’s information policies. The carried out to strengthen the
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 23
accessibility and transparency of the For the purpose of facilitating the information delivered. The Center is communication between the Ministry also responsible for the maintenance of of Nature Protection and the Armenian the trilingual website of the Ministry of citizens, an INFOCENTER has been Nature Protection of the Republic of established where the employees Armenia. On the website, visitors can furnish claimant citizens with all get information about the projects required information and direct them carried out by the Ministry, through the Ministry’s sections. An environmental legislation, environ- annual number of 2700 people are mental monitoring data, inspectoral being served at the INFOCENTER. operations, tendered positions to fill in The Armenian public has been vacancies, as well as the annual reports afforded the possibility of sending of the Ministry and ministerial electronic letters to the Ministry and statements. In addition, the website following the processing of their contains announcements about the messages. projects and programs forwarded for An important part in the issue of environmental expert review, and about public participation and awareness is the arrangement of public hearings. played by the fifteen Public Centers Effective 2008, the website has for Environmental Information (the been accommodating the draft versions Aarhus Centers) for the dissemination of various legal acts and documents in of environmental information, order to obtain comments and strengthening of public awareness, and recommendations from interested ensuring public involvement in parties. decision-making processes on The website has been endowed environmental issues. The Aarhus with a capacity of presenting Centers are an important collaboration electronically the emission standardi- instrument between the state and the zation projects and obtaining permis- society. sions for MPE (maximum permissible Public hearings are also essential emissions) in electronic version. means of information and awareness. Databases have been developed Interested non-government organi- and installed on the basis of the annual zations (NGOs) and citizens are reports on “Hazardous Substances actively involved in public hearings. Discharged into the Atmosphere from Information about the outcomes of Static Sources”, on “Water Use”, and public hearings is publicized through on “Wastes”. the mass media and via electronic sites In order to ensure instantaneous of the Aarhus Centers, etc. feedback to citizens’ inquiries, a For the purpose of stimulating the Hotline Service has been operating cooperation between the Ministry of within the Ministry since 2007. Nature Protection and the citizens of 24 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Armenia, the Minister of Nature opinions and views of expansive Protection issued a decree in January society layers. of 2009 about the formation of an There have been instances where affiliated Ministry Board that would the government, after having taken comprise, among other members, into account the additional arguments representatives from environmental provided by public organizations, has NGOs and scientific institutions. This made amendments in its adopted will enable an informed policy-making decisions or has taken measures process with consideration of the towards the resolution of the raised environmental issues.
1.3.2 Environmental Education Environmental education and and provide it with complete awareness. The Protocol Resolution No. normative and legal support, materials 47 of the Armenian government, dated and technical support, methodic and 12 November, 2009, endorsed the financial backup. On November 25, “Concept to Create a Comprehensive 2010 the government of Armenia and Unified National System of ratified its Resolution No. 1551-N on Environmental Education and the “Program of the Measures (2011- Awareness”, the objective of which is to 2015) Derived from the Concept to create favorable conditions in the Create a Comprehensive and Unified Republic of Armenia for the National System of Environmental improvement of the quality of Education and Awareness” with the environmental education and tutoring, purpose of supporting the creation of a formation of ecological mentality within complete and unified system of the society and enhancement of public environmental education, upbringing awareness about environmental issues. and awareness through the The national system for implementation of activities aimed at environmental education, tutoring and the resolution of important problems awareness is an integral combination arising from the conceptual approach of activities carried out at various of environmental edification, tutoring levels of education to create a safe and and awareness, in particular improving healthy environment for the population the level of the normative-legal through the enhancement of framework, information base and environmental mentality, knowledge methodological foundation, perfecting and responsibility among the society. the quality of environmental education Despite the evident achievements in and upbringing, enhancing the level of that area, there is now an indisputable awareness about ecological problems. need to create such a national system
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 25
The Minister of Environment of RA Aram Harutyunynan on the chalk-painting contest on the Environment Day occasion
1.4 Environmental Monitoring
Determination and assessment of National Reference Laboratory for the pollution level of the natural Environmental Analyses and later with environment in the Republic of the National Water Reference Armenia, namely surface waters, Laboratory for Slovakia (NRL), atmospheric air and precipitation, is acquiring respective certificates. carried out by the “Environmental Within the scope of the EMEP project Impact Monitoring Center” state- and effective 2008, the central owned non-commercial organization laboratory of “ArmEcoMonitoring” (SNCO). and the First-class international station The laboratories of the have undergone annual international “Environmental Impact Monitoring accreditation and have been selected Center” SNCO are refurbished with among the best in accordance with the state-of-the-art equipment that meets results of such testing. The information the principal requirements of the delivered by the “Environmental international standards. Effective Impact Monitoring Center” state- 2008, the central laboratory of owned non-commercial organization “ArmEcoMonitoring” has been about the ecological status of the undergoing international accreditation/ country is regularly presented in the certification, first with Finland’s form of monthly and annual 26 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
references. Weekly and monthly air- founded in Amberd and has been pollutant concentration allocation operating since 2008 with support maps are developed for 10 cities and from the Norwegian Government, to towns of Armenia. On monthly and monitor the air quality and chemical annual basis, summarized information composition of precipitations. on the quality of surface waters is Effective 2006, Armenia and Iran developed and placed at website have been carrying out joint water www.armmonitoring.am. In the quality inter-governmental monitoring instances of high and extremely high along the Armenian border of the pollutions, “ArmEcoMonitoring” River Arax. releases special transmissions to alert Ground-level monitoring of the the Ministry of Nature Protection of ambient air quality has been carried the Republic of Armenia for the out through a triple-layer hybrid arrangement of corresponding membrane/net created according to the additional activities. British sample, which contains 3 Within the framework of the different observation grids for “Cooperative Programme for automatic, aspiration (active sampling) Monitoring and Evaluation of the and passive sampling. Distribution of Long Range Transmission of Air the three air monitoring methods by Pollutants in Europe” (EMEP), a First residential areas is represented in the Level international station was form of the Tables below.
Method of passive Automatic Method of active sampling * * method*** City/Town sampling (aspiration) * (number of (number of (number of stations) samplers) stations) Yerevan 7 42 4(+2 stations 2011) Gyumri 1 24 Vanadzor 3 24 (1 station, 2011) Hrazdan 1 12 Alaverdi 3 18 1 Ararat 1 Vagharshapat 16 Abovian 12 Sevan 10 Kapan 20 Kajaran 8 Tsakhkadzor 14 1 Amberd 1 international 1 international station station Total 17 200 7(+3, 2011)
* This method is used to determine the content of dust, sulphur dioxide, nitric dioxide, ammonium and ground-level ozone
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 27
** This method is used to determine the content of sulphur dioxide and nitric dioxide *** This method is used to determine the content of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitric oxides and ground-level ozone
At 131 observation points, the rivers. Around 45-65 indicators are Environmental Impact Monitoring determined in each collected sample Center is carrying out hydro-chemical (main hydro-chemical constituents, observations of the country’s surface heavy metals, organic chlorine waters, namely 30 large and medium- pesticides and so on). size rivers, 6 water reservoirs and the The monitoring indicators for the Lake Sevan. The frequency of recent years are represented in the observations is 7 times a year at river form of the Table below (please, also heads and water reservoirs, and 12 see the map). times a year at various sections of the
Number Number of samples/ Name of Monitored water of Number of determined indicators the water bodies observatio basin 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 n points 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rivers of Pambak, Debed, Dzoraget, 143 142 147 146 146 Debed 13 Tashir, Marziget, 6435 6390 6615 6570 6570 Akhtala Rivers of Aghstev 30 35 72 68 68 Aghstev 6 Getik 1350 1575 3240 3060 3060 Rivers of Akhuria, Ahozk, Karkachun, 45 65 66 70 70 Akhurian Water reservoirs of 10 2025 2925 2970 3150 3150 Akhurian and Arpi Lich Rivers of Sevjur, Kasakh, Gegharot, 101 95 107 107 107 Sevjur 12 Hakhverd, Water 4545 4275 4815 4815 4815 reservoir of Aparan Rivers of Hrazdan, 104 108 108 109 109 Hrazdan Marmarik, Getar, 10 4680 4860 4860 4905 4905 the Yerevan Lake Rivers of Arpa, 36 65 70 62 62 Arpa Yeghegis, Water 7 1620 2925 3150 2790 2790 reservoir of Kechut 12 22 24 21 21 Meghriget - 2 540 990 1080 945 945 Rivers of Voghji, 48 84 85 73 73 Voghji Artsvanik, Geghi 8 2160 3780 3825 3285 3285
Rivers of Vorotan, 53 82 90 77 77 Vorotan 8 Sisian, Gorisget 2385 3690 4050 3465 3465 28 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 47 51 54 55 55 Arax - 6 2115 2295 2430 2475 2475 Azat 6 7 7 7 7 - 1 Reservoir 270 315 315 315 315 11 13 17 13 13 Vedi - 2 495 585 765 585 585 19 10 rivers that flow Lake 289 325 340 355 355 into Lake Sevan, Sevan 1300 1462 1530 1597 1597 Arpa-Sevan Basin 17 Lake 5 5 0 5 5 Tunnel, Lake Sevan Sevan
According to the monitoring data of the “Environmental Impact Monitoring Center” for the recent years, the ecological status of the environment within the Republic of Armenia is as follows:
The cases when the marginal permissible concentration (MPC) was exceeded in the materials determined in accordance with the averaged data of ambient air monitoring are represented in the Table below:
Sulfur Nitric Nitric Ozone Nitric Dust Dioxide Dioxide Oxide (MPC Monoxide (MPC avera City ave (MPC (MPC (MPC - (MPC - aver averag aver ge daily averag /Town rage daily - - 0,04 - 0,03 - 3 0,15 age daily e daily age daily e daily 0,05 mg/m3) 0,06 mg/m3) mg/m3) mg/m3) mg/m3) mg/m3) Yerevan 1,7 No surfeit 1,7-1,8 1,7-1,8* 1,7-1,8 No surfeit Gyumri 1,7 No surfeit No surfeit - - - Vanadzor 1,7 No surfeit 1,3 - - - Hrazdan 4,2 No surfeit No surfeit - - - Alaverdi No surfeit 4,5 No surfeit No surfeit - - Ararat 2,4 No surfeit No surfeit - - - Vagharshapat - No surfeit No surfeit - - - Abovian - No surfeit No surfeit - - - Sevan - No surfeit No surfeit - - - Kapan - No surfeit No surfeit - - - Kajaran - No surfeit No surfeit - - - Tsakhkadzor - No surfeit No surfeit - - -
* not permanently observed, detected only in densely populated areas of the city/town that is full of vehicles (mainly in Kentron Community of Yerevan) According to the air monitoring data for the recent years (period 2007-2011), there have been no major changes in the quality of the air basin of the Republic of Armenia.
According to the hydro-chemical cities (the Hrazdan in Yerevan, the monitoring data, the country’s rivers, Debed in Vanadzor and the Voghji in at the sections downstream of major Kapan) are periodically polluted by
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 29
nitrite, ammonium ions, organic Iranian monitoring of the Arax River substances, sometimes with a little bit and Armenian-Georgian monitoring of of manganese and chrome because of the Debed River) have shown that the the discharge of economic and utility anthropogenic pressure on wastewaters into the rivers in big transboundary rivers in the Republic of cities, the absence of the required Armenia is nearly non-existent or water treatment facilities in the cities totally absent. or because of incomplete/insufficient At this point, the ecological and work. Given the geological and chemical status of the surface waters chemical specifics of the country, as on the territory of Armenia is mainly well as its geographical essentials, assessed as “good” or “satisfactory”, background contamination of the according to the results of water rivers with copper, vanadium and monitoring activities (please, see the sometimes selenium is rather high. map). The map represents the surface During the floods the composition of water monitoring observation network suspended particles and aluminum and the levels of pollution by goes up in rivers. Apart from that, observation points. Arrows and figures ferrous content increases in the basin indicate the water sampling of the Akhurian River. However, these observation points, whereas the phenomena are not associated with colored circles point out the water human activity but are rather naturally quality categories at the given caused. observation point. The waters of the rivers flowing As a result of monitoring through the mining territories of the observations carried out at the 131 Republic of Armenia (for instance, the observations points specified under the Akhtala and Voghji Rivers) are state program for surface waters, the polluted with zinc, cooper and following situations were observed: manganese, sometimes reaching high extremely contaminated quality of 7th levels of contamination limits and, category at 4 observation points; very rarely, demonstrating extreme highly contaminated quality of 6th levels of contamination at specific category at 1 observation point; territories. However, this phenomenon contaminated quality of 5th category at does not have transboundary effects. 10 observation points; polluted quality The results of the hydro-chemical of 4th category at 17 observation monitoring carried out in accordance points, average contamination quality with a government project that was of 3rd category at 79 observation developed within the framework of points; good quality of 2nd category at international cooperation (Armenian- 19 observation points.
30 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Map: Observation network for surface water monitoring in the Republic of Armenia and level of pollution as of 2010 according to BOD5, composition of dissolved oxygen, and the complex assessment indices of pollution with nitrite, ammonium, vanadium and copper ions
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 31
1.5 Inspection Control
The primary performance indicators for the operations carried out by the State Environmental Inspectorate affiliated to the Cabinet of the Ministry of Nature of the Republic of Armenia during the period of 2007-2011are represented below:
First semi- annual 2007 2008 2009 2010 period of 2011
1 Number of inspected facilities, 1849 1752 725 386 108 piece Number of disclosed 2. infringements at the inspected 1271 1216 522 489 222 facilities, piece Number of environmental 3. violations disclosed in the area 568 481 436 456 204 of biological resources, piece Number of administrative 4. penalty acts drafted during the 1072 1099 663 807 406 spot-checks and inspections, piece Amount of the administrative 5. penalty, million Armenian 71.7 76.7 42.2 60.9 25.6 drams Measure of environmental damage assessed during the 6. 201.4 267.1 152.6 153.9 49.6 inspection, million Armenian drams Amounts charged in favor of 7. the state budget from environ- 98.3 120.2 112.0 96.8 40.5 mental punitive measures, million Armenian drams Computed environmental and 8. nature utilization payments, 3299.7 3879.0 3379.5 4808.6 2930.9 million Armenian drams Proceeds to the state budget from environmental and nature 9. 4106.4 4741.7 2349.7 4617.3 3039.2 utilization payments, million Armenian drams 32 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The work organization process 2. In order to ensure the of the State Environmental transparency and publicity of the inspections, and upon the Inspectorate affiliated to the Ministry requirement of the government of Nature of the Republic of Armenia of Armenia, an internet version during the period of 2007-2011 has of organization of the entire been mainly targeted at the efficiency inspection process has been enhancement of inspectoral operations introduced allowing all and the mitigation of corruption risks, interested persons and entities as well as the total eradication of the to track down the process; 3. In order to reduce contacts latter to the extent possible. The between the inspectors and the operations were clearly aimed at the inspected economic entities and principles of ultimate guidance by the to mitigate corruption risks, the Legislation of the Republic of State Environmental Armenia (RA), observation of the Inspectorate is carrying out predominance of law during the specific works towards the implementation of an electronic inspections, employment of punitive system of submission of measures that are commensurate to the mandatory reporting to the identified violations, carrying out Inspectorate by the economic explanatory work by the inspectors entities; with the inspected entities in order to 4. During the period of 2007-2011, deliberate on the environmental environmental inspections were carried out mainly at those legislation and the legal acts adopted organizations that represent in furtherance of such legislation, environmental risks. This has organization of comprehensive resulted in the enhancement of inspections, periodic enhancement of efficiency and effectiveness of the inspectors’ professional knowledge the inspections, leading to a and competence, clear statement of the 60% reduction of the inspected purposes and issues of the inspections entities, and resulting in tangible improvements: if the in the Inspection Assignments. 725 inspections carried out in 2009 resulted in collection of a The undertaken measures have total of 194.87 million recorded the following results: Armenian drams as penalties, the 386 inspections carried out 1. A unified package of documents in 2010 resulted in the summarizing the inspection collection of a total amount of results has been developed, 214.78 million Armenian drams implemented and enforced by for penalties. This means that the Ministry to help the the reduction of the number of environmental inspectors in inspections by 87% has led to their work;
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 33
an enhancement of efficiency Law “On Executing Self- by 1.5 times. Control over the Implemen- 5. The organization of a tation of the Environmental comprehensive set of Legislation” developed by the inspections has improved the RA Ministry of Nature quality of environmental Protection and forwarded by the inspections, meaning that at the Government of Armenia for inspected facilities the discussion to the RA National observation of the requirements Assembly. It will soon be of the environmental legislation adopted by the National has been scrutinized Assembly of the Republic of simultaneously in all sectors Armenia. Article 19 of that draft (protection of ambient air, Law regulates the mechanisms utilization and preservation of that will ensure transparency of water resources, maintenance of the reports on the results of self- land resources, allocation of control. Part 2 of Article 23 hazardous substances and regulates/limits the frequency of wastes, subsoil utilization and inspections at the given protection, use and illegal organization carried out by the transportation of biological Authorized Environmental resources). In general, various Entity, provided that the types of environmental organization has observed the violations were disclosed at parameters of the environmental 94.6% of the inspected standards; organizations (in 2009 their 7. Professional training sessions percentage was 50%), are periodically organized at the Administrative Penalty Acts Ministry of Nature Protection were drafted at nearly 85.8% of for the inspectors; the inspected organizations (in 8. Frequent visits of higher 2009 their percentage was Inspectorate officers/managers 25%), environmental damage to the structural and territorial was assessed at 26.6% of the units has led to the enhancement inspected organizations (in 2009 of the inspectors’ alertness and their percentage was 5%). As responsibility; compared to the previous years, 9. Daily contact and communication there has been a notable between the Higher Inspectorate increase in the proceeds officers and the managers of local directed to the state budget of branch offices has been ensured Armenia from administrative by the installation of a modern penalties and fines. In 2010 they on-line communication system amounted to the 72% of the sum that has facilitated the briefing of all exercised penalties. process on resolution of various 6. Another step towards the issues leading to the improvement mitigation of corruption risks of work discipline and quality of performance. was the draft version of the RA 34 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
1.6 International Cooperation
International cooperation of the supports the idea of reviewing the global Republic of Armenia in the area of environmental Governance (IEG), in the meantime maintaining that it needs to be nature protection is carried out in more functional and more oriented conformance with the foreign policies towards the enhancement of the of the country, its national priorities efficiency of international treaties, and commitments under international avoiding replications. The IEG should treaties and agreements. ensure differentiated approach, meaning International cooperation is that more vulnerable areas/regions implemented at global, regional, sub- should be dedicated a different approach. regional levels and with individual In the area of sustainable countries. development, the country has amplified During the period of 2007-2011, the activity of the United Nations the country has continued and National Council for Sustainable expanded its cooperation with global Development headed by the Prime and regional international Minister of the Republic of Armenia. Furthermore, the 2009-2012 Action Plan organizations (including WB, GEF, ensuring sustainable development in the UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UNESCO, country is underway. Armenia is EU, OECD, OSCE, and BSEC) and planning to take part in the United foreign states. Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that will take place Cooperation at Global Level in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2012. The government of the Republic of Armenia As a member of international has already issued its Resolution and community, during the period of 2007- supported the establishment of a 2011 Armenia has made its Commission for Coordination of the contribution to some of the major Preparatory Activities Associated with developments in the world, including Participation of the Republic of Armenia in the 2012 United Nations Conference the following: on Sustainable Development in Rio de Within the scope of the UN Janeiro. Environmental Program, Armenia
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The Minister of Nature Protection of RA Aram Harutyunyan on the UNEP Conference. Bali, Indonesia
Global Environment Facility pending requests to join SGP, Armenia The representative of Armenia at has joined the GEF Small Grant the Global Environment Facility holds Programme, which has provided the status of an Alternative opportunities for the enhancement and Representative. The country is strengthening of communities and the involved in a group of states non government organizations represented by 3 countries: the dedicating their activities to Republic of Armenia, the Russian environmental issues. Federation and the Republic of Armenia's participation in other Belarus. Armenia has developed and developments of global significance is presented to GEF its national portfolio described also under the heading of project proposals for funding within “Global Issues within National the framework of GEF-5. Along with Context”. 21 other countries who had 36 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The Minister of Nature Protection A.Harutyunyan and the GEF Chief Executive Officer M.Barbut, Yerevan
Regional Cooperation 2008 that comprised a number of Cooperation at the Level of European environmental activities. Region During the period of 2005-2007, During the recent years, a primary Armenia has been involved in objective of the foreign policy of extensive work to conform the Armenia has been expansion of Armenian legislation to that of the collaboration with the EU, European Union. Within the scope including the environmental sector. of the EU Water Initiative Armenia In November 2006, the “Annual has undertaken projects that lay Action Plan for Armenia-EU” was ground for the introduction of signed in Brussels, Belgium, comprehensive management of indicating the avenues for water resources within the country. environmental collaboration. Thanks to the EU TAIEX project, Within the framework of the EU the Armenian experts were Eastern Policies, Armenia has been provided an opportunity to get carrying out an action plan since familiar with the EU experience in
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various areas of nature protection. UNECE. To ensure Armenia’s In 2008-2009 two groups of proper participation in the Seventh specialists made educational visits "Environment for Europe" to the Czech Republic and the Ministerial Conference in Astana, Netherlands. Kazakhstan, a special commission A new phase in Armenia-EU was established in 2011 whose cooperation began in 2010 with the agenda, among other important commencement of a negotiation issues, included the discussion and process associated with the signing formation of the country’s position of “Armenia-EU Association on the principal documents Agreement”. Under the framework prepared by the UNECE of the aforementioned process, the Committee on Environmental contents of the “Environment” Policy for the Seventh section of the Association “Environment for Europe" Agreement were coordinated in Ministerial Conference, namely 2010-2011 and the deadlines for the “Sustainable Management of Water implementation of the EU and Water-Related Ecosystems” environmental requirements were and “Inclusion of Environmental specified. Regulations in Economic Development Programmes” /Green The regional environmental Economy/. projects of cooperation with the UN Economic Commission for Europe The Black Sea Region are highly important for the formation of the environmental The Republic of Armenia is one policies in the country. Armenia is of the 12 member-states of the a member to four UNECE Organization of the Black Sea Conventions and is actively Economic Cooperation (BSEC); implementing their principles. however the country’s participation in Armenia's representatives are the operations initiated by this engaged in the activities of the Convention Working Groups and Organization is not highly efficient. have been elected in the Partly, that is because of the fact that Implementation Committees of the priorities of the BSEC those Conventions. A series of Environmental Working Group are regional and national workshops focused around the protection of the have been held in Armenia in Black Sea ecosystems and the association with the implementation of the UNECE environmental issues of the coastal Conventions and capacity building zones. New prospects of involvement within the country. with the environmental projects in the given region are associated with the Armenia has made its contribution EU Black Sea Synergy initiative that to the activities of the Committee was launched in Brussels in 2010. on Environmental Policy of the 38 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The Minister of Nature Protection A.Harutyunyan and Executive Director of the “Caucasus Nature Fund” D.Morrison
Cooperation at the Level of the Protection of the Republic of Armenia Caucasian Region is resolutely carrying out a policy of partnership with all the countries in the Development of sub-regional region. cooperation is an essential part of the Environmental cooperation at foreign policies of the Republic of regional level is basically carried out Armenia. Within this context special through international funding, within focus is dedicated to environmental the scope of regional environmental issues. Environmental cooperation in projects. The Regional Environmental South Caucasian region has seen a Center for Caucasus (REC Caucasus) number of hindrances caused by a plays a major role in coordination of variety of economic and political the environmental cooperation among factors. With realization of the fact the states of the Caucasian Region. that environmental activities that are Effective 2003, the Armenian out of any political issues may branch office of the REC Caucasaus contribute to the development of has been active in Armenia, expanding business relationships within the its operations during the period of region, the Ministry of Nature
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 39
2007-2011 in the area of active involvement of the local environmental projects with the government bodies and non involvement of the public sector. government organizations, Local Special attention is be paid to the Environmental Action Plans have been development process of Local developed for five provincial towns of Environmental Action Plans. With Armenia.
The Minister of Nature Protection A.Harutyunyan and delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Cooperation with Individual Armenia obtained an opportunity to Countries get familiar with the extensive experience of Germany in various Federative Republic of Germany fields of environmental protection. In Cooperation with the German cooperation with the Armenian InWent organisation was established in Ministry of Nature Protection, In-Went 2007 and has been effectively has organized 12 training sessions in expanding and developing since then. Armenia since 2007. Apart from that, Under the scope of that cooperation, three expert groups from Armenia due to the training courses organized have visited the Federative Republic of in the republic, the specialists from Germany for cognitive purposes. 40 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Expanding cooperation with the environmental issues /1997/. German NABU organisation has been Environmental cooperation between quite efficient in terms of increasing Armenia and Georgia has been the level of knowledge of the expanding in accordance with the Armenian specialists. provisions of the aforementioned In collaboration with the agreement, supported by participation environmental organizations of the in regional developments and regional Federative Republic of Germany, a projects. Among the priorities of that large number of projects have been cooperation is protection of natural accomplished in Armenia aimed at the ecosystems, in particular conservation resolution of important environmental of individual species of biodiversity issues. and corridors, preservation of transboundary water resources, Islamic Republic of Iran creation of a transboundary national In 2005 several working groups park in the Valley of Javakhq and so of Armenian and Iranian specialists forth. were formed to investigate the reasons and consequences of pollution in the Brazil borderline Araks River. Simultaneous In 2011, in order to establish an sampling was performed once a month analytical laboratory in Armenia, the for the purpose of determining water Government of the Republic of Brazil quality parameters. The joint and donated research instruments to the synchronized sampling efforts carried Ministry of Nature Protection of out by the Armenian and Iranian Armenia to study the composition of parties provided ample water quality hazardous substances in the data on the River Arax demonstrating environment. that the pollution with hazardous Apart from the aforementioned substances in the river corresponds to countries, Armenia’s partners in the the permissible marginal con- environmental cooperation are the centrations established for such United States, Japan, the Russian substances. Federation, the Czech Republic, France, Romania, Poland and China. Georgia Cooperation geography is rapidly Georgia was the first country expanding. with whom Armenia signed a bilateral agreement of cooperation on
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 41
The Minister of Nature Protection of RA, A.Harutyunyan with the Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia Mrs. Marcela Maria Nicodemos.
Armenia’s Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment International Conventions on the in a Transboundary Context Environment At this point, the Republic of In 2007-2011, the Republic of Armenia is a Party to 22 multilateral Armenia ratified the following international treaties on environmental international conventions on protection (Annex 2) environmental protection: Undergoing their phase of ratification are the Protocol on Long- 1. Convention on the Conservation of term Financing of the Cooperative European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979); Programme for Monitoring and 2. Convention on the Evaluation of the Long-range International Trade in Endangered Transmission of Air Pollutants in Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Europe (EMEP) and the Protocol on (Washington, 1973); Water and Health of the Convention 3. Convention on the Conservation of on the Protection and Use of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn, 1979); Transboundary Watercourses and 4. Protocol on Strategic International Lakes. Environmental Assessment (Kiev, The implementation process of 2003) to the Convention on the environmental projects sponsored 42 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
by international donors and supported Ministry of Nature Protection or in the by individual countries has continued process of implementation or planned in 2007-2011. Information on some of for implementation is represented in those projects is contained in the Annexes 3, 4, 5 and 6. sections of this Report. The list of the projects implemented under the RA
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 43
2. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
2.1 Conservation of Natural Resources
2.1.1. Biological and Landscape Diversity. Specially Protected Areas. The Republic of Armenia is a there is an active process of small landlocked country located in evolvement of new species going on the Caucasian region of Eurasia. For here. That is why many researchers of its exceptionally rich biodiversity, the the fauna and flora of this area Caucasian region has been listed by frequently come across unknown the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as species for the scientific world. Only one of the 200 eco-regions of the during the past decade more than 40 planet that have global significance. new species were described and Another organization, Conservation reported from Armenia, in need of International, has recognized the conservation and protection. region as an endangered area and has Armenia is a globally important included it in the List of Threatened center for the evolvement of Territories. agricultural biodiversity because many The landscape diversity in wild relatives of crops and domestic Armenia and the peculiarity of its animals have sustained here. Some of terrain represent a critical factor for the the species found in Armenia are formation and evolvement of the flora extremely valuable and represent a and fauna in the country. crucial economic resource for the As compared to a great number Armenian people. of non-tropical countries, Armenia is Due to the growing distinguished for the peculiarity and anthropogenic influences during the wealth of its biodiversity. In a past century, Armenia's biodiversity relatively small territory (around 30 has undergone a number of essential thousand square kilometers) grows modifications. In parallel with the around 3600 species of vessel plants, development of the human society, the more than 4700 species of mushrooms, involvement of biodiversity elements 520 species of vertebrates and around and their quantitative volumes in 17000 species of invertebrates, many different areas of human activity has of which are endemic. All the main expanded. This process has mainly natural ecosystems are represented on been spontaneous, without the territory of Armenia, with the consideration of the natural exception of the humid sub-tropical possibilities of reproduction of zones. biological resources. As a result of The territory of the Republic of such abusive utilization, many Armenia is singular in the sense that ecosystems degraded and species 44 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
extincted leading to a general during the period of 2007-2011 were pauperization of biodiversity. This mainly aimed at the improvement of phenomenon has been especially the legislation of the given sector, dynamic during the past century ensuring the protection of rare and associated with the reclamation of new disappearing species, creation of new areas for industrial purposes, civil protected areas, improvement of the construction, agricultural, management of such areas, expansion transportation, energy and other needs, of international cooperation and so on. and escalation of pollution. The A number of sub-legislative acts intensive and unregulated exploitation regulating the sector was approved by of forests, pastures, water and other the government of the Republic of ecosystems has decreased the volume Armenia, in order to set forth the of services rendered by them and principles for inventory-taking in flora changed their quality. The global and fauna, for monitoring, cadastre climate change and the expansion of maintenance and data provision, for desertification processes within the hunting, for creation of hunting country have, in their turn, become a economies/facilities, as well as to risk factor for the normal development devise the procedures for the of the flora and fauna. establishment of protected areas, for Three strategic documents of the organization and implementation primary importance have been of monitoring, for the maintenance of developed in Armenia for the cadastre and so on. resolution of the problems in the area Preservation of the genetic fund of biodiversity preservation and of flora and fauna, prevention of sustainable utilization. Those disappearance of species is an documents are: the “Second National important environmental priority for Environmental Action Programme” Armenia. For the purpose of effective approved by the government of the organization of biodiversity Republic of Armenia in 2008, conservation process, a comprehensive “Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan study of the country’s flora and fauna for Armenia” (1999) and “National was carried out in 2007-2011 with the Strategy and Action Plan for the assessment of the status of the species Development of Specially in conformance with international Protected Nature Territories” (2002). standards and republication of the Red Based on the actions described in Book of the Republic of Armenia. the aforementioned strategic Now the Red Book comprises 452 documents, the implementation of plant species (i.e. 12.5% of the total which is crucial for the sustainable flora) and 308 animal species (i.e. management of biodiversity in the nearly 2% of the total fauna), the status country, the activities accomplished of which raises major concern. The
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 45
Red Book was approved by the Armenia in 2010 acquiring a legal government of the Republic of status.
Illustrations from the Flora Red Book of Armenia
In order to assess the status of the regard Armenia found itself facing a disappearing and threatened species multitude of new challenges since and to mitigate the risks, a monitoring having a wealth of genetic resources is of big mammals was carried out during obligating for the country to get the recent years at the state-owned actively involved in the developing reserves of “Shikahogh” and “Khosrov processes trying to devise and Forest”, along with fish monitoring at implement such national mechanisms the Lake Sevan. for the conservation of genetic The 10th Conference of the resources that would be consistent Parties to the “Convention on with the aforementioned Protocol. Biological Diversity” (Nagoya, 2010), Despite the fact that during the adopted the “Nagoya Protocol on past decades the legislative framework Access to Genetic Resources and the for the conservation of biodiversity Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits and utilization of biological resources Arising from their Utilization”. In that has slightly improved, the adoption of 46 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
certain normative acts (such as setting the Republic of Armenia “On limits for the use of biological Specially Protected Nature Territories” resources and establishing proper was adopted in Armenia in 2006 to quantities/measures, creating specially provide the legal basis of the state protected natural areas at local level, policies for the normal development, laying the principles of eco-net rehabilitation, conservation and formation and so forth) continues to utilization of the specially protected remain an urgent need along with the natural areas as eco-systems of complete enforcement of the existing primary ecological, social, economic, legislation. scientific, historic and cultural value, The main elements necessary for of natural complexes and individual the efficient management of biological facilities. According to the effective resources are registering, inventory- legislation of the country, the state- taking and monitoring. These owned reserves, state-owned wildlife functions are not being performed at conservation areas, national parks and full scale. The absence of an advanced nature monuments are considered and complete information system on ‘guaranteed specially protected nature biodiversity, in its turn, makes areas’. accurate impact assessment of The specially protected natural anthropogenic and natural factors areas are responsible for the impossible, not to mention precise conservation of around 70% of the calculation of inflicted damage and country’s flora and fauna. 54 % of informed decision-making based on such areas (if without the surface of clear-cut information. Lake Sevan, then 91%) are occupied by forest ecosystems. Specially Protected Areas The system of specially protected As an implement of biodiversity nature areas includes the following:
protection of higher efficiency, there Three state-owned reserves have been created and are (Khosrov Forest, Shikahogh and continuously being created specially Erebuni); protected natural areas within the 26 state-owned wildlife conser- republic. The formation of the current vation areas; system of specially protected natural Four national parks; and 230 nature monument areas started around 1958. The Law of
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The current system of protected areas in the Republic of Armenia
% of the total territory of the Type Number Surface (in hectares) Republic of Armenia State-owned reserves 3 36104 1.21 % 240867 National parks 4 8.09%
State-owned 26 102216 3.44 % reservations Wild nature 230 N/A - monuments Total 379187 12.74 %
The process of establishment of resolutions of the Armenian new protected areas is underway. government and in 2010 the “Zikatar” Following the inventory-taking and state-owned reserve was founded. The investigation of the more valuable list of Armenia's nature monuments areas in the Republic of Armenia, in was ratified in 2009 comprising 230 2009 two national parks and the facilities of nature. The list is not “Zangezur” state-owned wildlife complete and will be continually conservation area were created in supplemented with new monuments Armenia in conformance with different following respective studies.
The “Basalt Organ”
48 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
The government of the Republic if considered without the surface of of Armenia approved the management Lake Sevan). plans for «Dilijan» national park Within the scope of the (2007), «Sevan» national park (2007), UNDP/GEF Medium-Sized Project «Khosrov Forest» state-owned reserve "Developing the Protected (2009) and «Arpi Lich» national park Area System of Armenia" targeted at (2011). The draft version of the the improvement of conditions at management plan for «Shikahogh» specially protected areas in general state-owned reserve has been and wildlife conservation areas in developed also. particular, as well as the enhancement In the course of the development of management efficiency, it is of management plans for all state- planned to create two more protected owned areas an inventory taking of areas in the south of Armenia, namely natural resources has been carried out, “Gnishik” and “Khustup” wildlife the primary factors disturbing the conservation areas, to form an balance of ecosystems have been important part of the ecological identified, the criteria for environmental network of the country in combination various impacts of economic operations with other protected areas. have been determined and the methods Within the scope of the for the forecast of various development UNDP/GEF project “Supporting tendencies of the ecosystem status have Country Action on the CBD been developed. In addition, tourism Programme of Work on Protected and recreation development scenarios Areas”, operations were carried out in have been discussed; items of natural 2009 toward the identification of the and cultural legacy have been major areas in terms of biodiversity inventoried. There is an imperative affluence, which will later be included need for ensuring the development in the network of the country’s process of management plans for the protected areas. wildlife conservation areas with In the Armenian Province of consideration of their current status, Syunik it is planned to establish a identification of needs and biological reserve on the basis of the requirements, clarification of borders “Shikahogh” state-owned reserve, with and prescription of concrete actions. financial support from KfW. At this Currently, the total surface of the point the preliminary studies towards specially protected natural areas of the the implementation of that project Republic of Armenia amounts to have been completed providing an approximately 379,187 hectares, i.e. assessment and identification of the around 12.7% of the country's territory ecological problems in the area and the (or 7% of the republic's total territory socio-economic needs of the population. MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 49
Shake waterfall
In the Armenian Province of Phase one investments in Armenia Syunik it is planned to establish a have involved the state-owned reserve biological reserve on the basis of the “Khosrov Forest” in 2010. In 2011 “Shikahogh” state-owned reserve, with another UNDP/GEF project was financial support from KfW. At this launched called “Supporting Financial point the preliminary studies towards Sustainability of the System of the implementation of that project Specially Protected Areas in have been completed providing an Armenia”, the operations of which are assessment and identification of the targeted at ensuring the financial ecological problems in the area and the stability of the organizations socio-economic needs of the responsible for the specially protected population. areas. Upon the initiative of the The first example of sustainable government of the Federal Republic of funding for the specially protected Germany a Caucasus Nature Fund has areas in Armenia was the draft version been established to support the of the business plan for the national maintenance and development of park of “Arpi Lich” that included a specially protected areas in the variety of actions targeted at the ecological region of Caucasus enhancement of financial stability of (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan). the national park, as well as the 50 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
adjacent communities. After the Development of Specially Protected evaluation of the implementation Natural Areas of Armenia” will be efficiency of the aforementioned completed in order to improve the business plan, it will be possible to strategic activities and their replicate that experience in other PA as implementation mechanisms for the well. PA in Armenia. Other activities like technical Extensive operations have been capacity building at the existing PA, initiated by the government of the infrastructure development at the Republic of Armenia to improve the existing and future PA, replenishment system of PA and create new protected of scientific human resources, creation areas. Among such operations it is of visitors’ centers, rehabilitation of important to mention the following: museums, training and quality enhancement programs for the purpose 1. Reviewing the specially protected territories and of developing human resources of the adjusting their limits, as well PA have been carried out through as mapping operations government resources and carried out in 2007-2008; international support. 2. Developing new specially In 2009 the Armenian protected natural territories, government approved a program namely “Khustup” and aimed at capacity building within the “Gnishik” reserves. management system of the PA, Currently Armenia is developing through which the “National Action a new draft of the Law “On PA”. Plan and Strategies for the
2.1.2. Water Resources Rivers The territory of Armenia is length of 23000 kilometers. 379 of distinguished for its highly developed those rivers have a length in excess of yet non-homogenous water network, 10 kilometers and above. Density of specific of countries with mountainous the river network on the territory of terrain. Around 9480 minor and Armenia changes within a substantial average rivers are registered in this range, namely from 0 to 2.5 km/ km2, area with a total length of 23000 with an average of 0.8 km/ km2. registered in this area with a total
MINISTERIAL REPORT 2007-2011 51
River Arax River Arpa
Estimation of the Water Resources of the Republic of Armenia
The total annual average flow in the Republic of Armenia is 7190 Lakes million m3 with consideration of the There are more than a thousand Arax and Akhurian rivers. small lakes on the territory of the The Republic of Armenia utilizes Republic of Armenia, part of which an annual volume of 940 million m3 goes dry during the summer season. from transboundary rivers of Arax and IN terms of their size and Akhurian. The distribution of water economic utilization, greater value is resources on the territory of the attached to the Lake Sevan and Lake Republic of Armenia by major river Arpi. The rivers Hrazdan and basins, as well as flow characteristics Aкhurian take their start from these are represented in Annex 7 lakes. There are also some extremely small lakes of mere local significance.
Lake Sevan Lake Akna
52 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Water resource management with past decades due to the unacceptably the so-called hydro-eco-system large volumes of utilization. approach has had a substantial positive The Diagram below reflects the effect on the rehabilitation of the Lake dynamics of water use and level Sevan ecosystem, aggravated in the fluctuations at Lake Sevan. Dynamics of Water Discharge from Lake Sevan and Water Level for the Period of 1933-2011.
192 0 2000 1900 1800 191 5 1700 1600 1500 1400 191 0 1300 1200 1100 190 5 1000 900 800 190 0 700 600 500 400 189 5 300 200 100 189 0 0 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 1 3 5 7 9 2011
Exit via the Hrazdan River E ntrance from Arpa-Sev an
Underground Waters is bottled and 25 thousand cubic meters is used for medical purposes. According to an annual Water Reservoirs assessment, underground waters amount to 4017 million m3, of which For the purpose of rational 1595 million m3 come forth as fresh utilization of river water resources and springs, and 1434 million m3 flow regulation, a number of water download into rivers and lakes. The reservoirs have been constructed. The inflow of underground waters is annual regulated river flow in the around 1193 million m3, whereas the Republic of Armenia amounts to outflow is about 1068 million m3. The approximately 1272.5 million m3. The total flow of mineral waters during the total number of water reservoirs in year amounts to 22 million m3, 8.8 Armenia is 74. The largest one is million m3 of which are of superior Akhurian with a total volume of 525 quality. An annual volume of 15 million m3. thousand cubic meters of such waters
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Water Use The annual volumes of water intake for the purpose of utilization within the country (in million m3) are represented in Diagram 2 below.
3500 Tot al Water Intake 2803 2826 2873 3000 2681 192 0 2000 2500 1900 1800 191 5 1871 1700 2000 1732 1600 1500 1400 191 0 1500 1300 Discharge by years1200 1100 1901000 5 1000 900 800 190 0 500 700 600 500 400 189 5 0 300 200 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 100 189 0 0 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 1 3 5 7 9 2011
Exit via the Hrazdan River E ntrance from Arpa-Sev an
As shown on the Diagram above, amounts to some 3.3 billion cubic the volume of water intake has meters a year, which is about 50% of drastically grown in 2004 as compared the surface water flow within the to 2002. This was conditional upon the country, mainly conditional upon the formalization of the right for water use consecutive and multiple utilization of in Armenia, in conformance with the water flows of such resources. requirements of the Water Code of the Republic of Armenia, and that process Water Drainage commenced in 2003. Starting from In all the towns and cities of the 2004, the volume of water intake has country, industrial and household not undergone significant changes, wastewaters (in average 1.8-2.0 billion which evidences to the fact that those m3) are collected (drained) through indicators are characteristic of the sewerage collectors and networks. The economic growth in the country during existing drainage system serves to the specified timeframe. collect (drain) approximately 70-80% Given the tremendous hydro of wastewaters from the towns and potential of the country’s rivers, a cities. The rural areas, in their significant growth in water intake has prevailing majority, do not have been registered during the past ten drainage systems. years within the sector of water use for Some 30-40 years back, around hydro energy needs. At this point it twenty wastewater treatment plants 54 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
(WTP) were constructed in the comprehensive water resource country’s various residential areas, management principles in the country. which deteriorated in the aftermath The Water Code of the Republic because of the absence of financial of Armenia adopted in 2002 is the investments required for their principal document regulating the maintenance and commissioning. All issues of water resource management of them are now inoperable. Partly and preservation that contains the functional is the “Aearacia” water principle of comprehensive basin treatment plant in Yerevan carrying management, promotes decision- out incomplete mechanical purification making on water distribution stipulated of wastewaters. by supply rather than demand, serves a Due to the activities carried out basis for the establishment of the within the past 3-4 years, the institute of state water cadastre, government of France has allocated enforces information-based issuance of resources for the rehabilitation of water use permits, and provides “Aeracia” water treatment plant in opportunities for the management of Yerevan and the restoration of a water resources and deployment of number of sewerage pipelines. Those economic leverage mechanisms during operations are intended to commence the process of cost coverage. in 2011 and conclude in 2015. Apart Today the reformation process of from the above, within the framework the water sector is in a transitional of the Environmental Project for Lake phase associated with the Sevan funded by the European Bank decentralization of water resource for Reconstruction and Development management functions (from the (EBRD), there is an intention to build central body to basin management water treatment plants in the towns of departments). Gavar, Martuni and Vardenis. These In that regard, it is worth operations have commenced in 2010 mentioning a series of decrees and and are planned for accomplishment in resolutions of the Armenian 2013. government, and among them the “Procedures on the Establishment of Legislation improvement Norms to Ensure Water Quality in During the past decade notable Each Basin Management Area, improvements have been recorded in Depending upon the Characteristics of the sector of water resource the Area”; the “Procedures on the management in Armenia in terms of Establishment of Measures for the legislative reforms. The main direction Employment of Modern Technologies, of such reforms has been the Improvement of Water introduction and implementation of the Resource Monitoring, Reduction and Prevention of Pollution”; the
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“Procedures for the Implementation of Within the framework of the EU Underground Freshwater Hydro- Water Initiative for Eastern Europe, geological Studies and for the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA), Development of Water Basin with support from the UN ECE, Management Plans for the Republic of UNDP and OECD, in accordance with Armenia”; the “Procedures on the the Water Code of the Republic of Establishment of Assessments for Armenia and the EU Water Potable Household Water and Framework Directive, starting from Agricultural Water Demand in 2008 a model plan for water basin Accordance with Water Basin Areas of management on the example of the Republic of Armenia, as well as Marmarik pilot river basin was Environmental Discharges”. These developed and approved by the procedures will contribute to the government of Armenia on February 3, conservation of national water 2011. The model plan includes the resources, will help satisfy the water basic description of the water basin, demand of citizens and economy the anthropogenic and biogenic through an efficient management of impacts (inclusive of climate change) water resources will ensure on the water resources and the environmental stability of the evaluation of such impacts, the current surrounding nature will support the and preferable prospective scenarios of development of water basin water use, the financial estimates for management plans and will become an the implementation and other aspects. essential element of such plans. In addition to the aforementioned The success of the reformation work, upon the initiative of the process is mainly conditional upon the Ministry of Nature Protection of the policies pursued by the government of Republic of Armenia and for the the Republic of Armenia, in harmony purpose of inclusion in the model plan with the mission statements of a for water basin management, within number of donor organizations the framework of the EU Water inclusive of the WB, USAID, UNDP, Initiative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus GEF, EU Water Initiative (EUWI), and Central Asia (EECCA) and UN ECE, OECD, and others. through international consulting , Special attention should be paid starting from 2011 a pilot to the model guidelines for river basin research/project is being carried out on management plans developed in 2006- payments for ecosystem services water 2008 on the example of the Meghri element, based on the example of the River basin, within the scope of the Marmarik River. USAID Project on “Strengthening of The Ministry of Nature the Legal and Institutional Framework Protection of the Republic of Armenia for Water Sector in Armenia”. intends to use the conclusions derived 56 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
from the research to complete the comprehensive water resource model plan for water basin management. Some of the critical steps management approved by the in that reform process were the Armenian government, which will creation/strengthening of territorial later be used as a guideline document water basin management bodies and for the development of water basin the development/implementation of management plans for 6 water basins water basin management plans as an of the country. important development towards the Today the legislative amendment decentralization of water resource and other progressive changes management and reasonable/prudent implemented in the water sector of the administration. Republic of Armenia are acceptable Effective 2005, the system of not only for the regional, but also for water basin management was internationally known experts and implemented in the Republic of organizations. Armenia and the management of the country’s water resources is currently Water Basin Management carried out through six water basin In the recent years, the legislative areas (Northern, Akhurian, Araratian, and institutional reforms associated Sevan, Hrazdan and Southern) that with the management of water coincide with the natural hydrological resources in the country have carried river basins. on in harmony with the principles of
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The water basin management areas in RA
The National Water Program of conservation of water resources, the Republic of Armenia, as well as implementation of water intake the Water Code of the Republic of inventory and oversight, for the Armenia, is authorizing the Territorial establishment of water intake modes Departments of Water Basin and proportions, for the enforcement Management (TDWBM) as key role- of the conditions/provisions set forth players in the comprehensive in water use permits, as well as for the management of water resources. development of prospective programs According to the aforementioned for the management, utilization and statutes, the TDWBM are entitled to protection of the water resources at the “plan”, “monitor”, “analyze” an given basin. “supervise”, whereas the Water In the meantime, the National Resource Management Agency of the Water Program of the Republic of Ministry of Nature Protection of the Armenia, as well as the Water Code of Republic of Armenia is responsible the Republic of Armenia requires an for overall management of the adjustment of water resource country’s water resources. management bases through a Therefore, at basin level, the decentralization of water resource TDWBMs are responsible for the management functions. 58 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
A prerequisite for the water users, water use permits and decentralization of water resource authorizations to utilize water systems. management functions would be the Today the State Water Cadastre is development of water basin furnished with the respective management plans to become the legislative framework and is carrying primary document for the Territorial out the following: Departments of Water Basin Management (TDWBM). Creation of a repository of water Comprehensive management of water sector related data and information; resources at basin level would then be Document filing with the Cadastre, carried out in conformance with the provision of adequate information; developed plans. Formulation of the water resource monitoring assignments; State Water Cadastre Planning of water resource monitoring and integration of the The State Water Cadastre is a monitoring outcomes in the process permanently functioning system that of water resource management; registers comprehensive data about the Inventory of water resource related qualitative and quantitative indices of hydro-technical water resources, water collection facilities/waterworks in order to basins, the materials extracted from the enhance the efficiency of water water beds and banks/shores of water utilization; basins, the composition and Drafting of the water resource proportions of biological resources, the balance by individual water basins and their aggregate.
2.1.3 Land Resources The Republic of Armenia is a land formation have contributed to the country with scarce land resources and complicated structure of the land is distinguished by the existence of a surface, expressed fractured. The land relatively young Pliocene age earth surface is too speckled: you can surface. The land fund of the country is observe 7 etymological types, 27 sub- just 2.974.259 hectares, of which only types, encompassed in upland zones. 0.15% is suitable for agricultural The image below represents a purposes. Almost 47% of the land schematic distribution map of the 7 surface is covered by declivous and etymological types of soil in Armenia. abrupt slopes. The varied conditions of
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1. High-mountain simple soils 2. Mountain-meadow soils 3. Mountain-forest soils 4. Steppe soils 5. Brown soils 6. Chesnut soils 7. Grey soils
Given its geographic and climate Environmental Protection Fund, the conditions, Armenia is especially main purpose of which is regulating the vulnerable to desertification. sector of allocation estimations for the Desertification is characterized rehabilitation of lands that has by degradation of land resources, deteriorated because of mining and destitution of biological species and extraction and(or) research operations. biological resources and, as a result of Enhancement of the efficiency of the above, aggravation of the resource allocations for the Fund and population's social status. Currently, implementation of vigilant control by around 86.5% of the lands of the the Authorized Body has contributed to Republic of Armenia has been exposed the increase of payments for the nature to desertification of various degrees protection fund from the organizations due to both anthropogenic and natural engaged in the exploration and causes, involving climate change utilization of mineral products. As of during the recent years. 01.01.2011, the allocations towards the In harmony with the objectives of fund has amounted to 338 million the «Green» economy policies, Armenian drams. fundraising is organized in Armenia to In order to develop the area of collect allocations for the eco-novelties in the Republic of 60 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Armenia, the Ministry of Nature pollution examination and monitoring Protection of the Republic of Armenia network corresponding to the land has proposed for implementation within territory of the Republic of Armenia. the framework of GEF-5 a project The draft version of the called “Improvement of Adaptive Armenian government decree “On the Conservation and Sustainable Approval of Methodologies for the Utilization of Wild Fruit Trees and Implementation of Monitoring of Forest Resources in Conditions of Polluted Lands on the Territory of the Oland Degradation in Armenia”, which Republic of Armenia due to will contribute to the investigation of Technogeneous Reasons” has been degraded land territories because of discussed and approved, and will serve mining industry impact and a ground for the organization of specification of the primary directions monitoring observations of polluted for biological recultivation. It is lands due to various anthropogenic planned to also establish a land impacts.
2.1.4 Environmental Impact of Mining Industry The complex geological aluminum raw materials along structure, which marks Armenia’s with rare and diffused metals contained in such minerals; geography, accounts for its variety of Facing and building stones; minerals. Natural color stones; Some 650 deposits and more than Aggregates and ballast 100 different mineral sites (including materials; 28 metal deposits) were located in the Multi-purpose raw stock country that covers a limited area of (used as/in cement raw about 30.0 thousand sq. km. material, crude construction The gross value of available stoneware, pigments, metallurgy, chemical industry, minerals reaches over 120 billion USD light industry, food industry with the cost of extraction for explored and other areas); and pre-estimated reserves (without Fresh and mineral ground- fresh waters) totaling some 90 billion waters. USD. Of all ferrous metals, the iron has the richest stock with manganese and The mineral and raw material base chromium occurrences devoid of any of the country is represented by the significant industrial application. following types of minerals: Alloying metals in the country are Metal minerals, i.e. iron, chiefly represented by the copper, molybdenum, lead, molybdenum found in a number of zinc, gold, silver, antimony, medium-sized deposits and the
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deposits of Kajaran featuring some 3. Natural color stones; unique resources. Titanium, tungsten, 4. Aggregates and ballast materials; 5. Multi-purpose raw materials. nickel and cobalt occurrences are also known. Among nonferrous metals, the In the category of facing stones, composite mines of copper- tuff (about 50% of total resources), molybdenum, copper-pyrites, lead-zinc marble and marble lime (25%) prevail and poly-metallic deposits are known. in terms of the reserves explored. Along with copper, molybdenum, Armenia has an extensive lead and zinc, gold is a typomorphic coverage of building stones reserves. element in the metallic mines of the They include: granodiorite, porphirite, Republic of Armenia. This is quite andesite, andesite basalt, andesite evident from permanent occurrence of dacite, basalt, tuff sandstone and lime. gold in the ore deposits of nonferrous Various types of natural color metals of both gold and varying stones sites were discovered were found formations. within the territory of the country that Gold endogenous mining sites of can be used in the jewelry-making and independent industrial significance stone-carving industry, artwork, make up two groups: gold deposits souvenirs and finery production. with gold as the major component or Various types and objects of one of the major useful components crude natural color stone include 14 and gold-containing composite ore deposits sites registered in the state deposits with gold as extracted assets sheet containing turquoise, associated/accompanying ingredient agate, rainbow obsidian, onyx marble (of practical interest). and plagioporphyrite with amethyst.
The metallic minerals above are The group of aggregates and grouped in 3 large metallogenic zones ballast materials includes non-metallic below: minerals used as: Alaverdi-Kapan zone - Cu, Pb, – Light aggregate concrete Zn, Fe; (pumice, slag and volcanic sands); Pambak-Zangezur zone – Cu, – Heavy aggregate concrete (sand Mo, rarely Pb, Zn, Sb, Au, Ag; and pebble mix); Cr, Au, Sevan-Amasia zone – – Road construction materials rarely Hg, As, Ag. (ballast raw materials). Deposits of individual types of Non-metal mineral falling within non-metallic minerals are grouped by multi-purpose raw material group can application of mineral raw materials. be used in various branches of industry Their following groups can be and agriculture. This group distinguished: incorporates some two dozens of
1. Facing stones; geological formations of various 2. Building stones; origins, namely dunite and peridotite, 62 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
andesite, altered porphyrite and tuff, almost the entire territory of the volcanic scoria, perlite, pumice, country despite uneven distribution of quartzite, lime and marl, dolomite, water resources. fireproof gypsiferous and concrete Such sources chiefly represent clays, diatomite, coal, peat, rock salt, high-quality waters, especially sources barite, mineral paints. stemming from volcanogenic complex Groundwater resources play an rocks of Neogenic Quaternary period important role in the economy: (lavas and stratified slugs, volcanic ecologically, they are minerals of fragments) in medium and highland utmost purity that can be immediately zones. used in water supply and food The aggregate lands allotted to industry. Due to Armenia’s natural mining companies in Armenia total environment and its hydro geological 9700 ha, with 8275 ha of faulted soil characteristics, natural sources account and 1400 ha of tailing facilities for the water consumption across lands.
2.1.5 Atmosphere Atmosphere management in the the review of maximum permissible Republic of Armenia is regulated by of emissions (MPE) normative design the RA Law on Atmospheric Air document and authorization of Protection (1994) and sub-legislative emissions, defining how business instruments passed to enforce its entities can electronically submit their application. MPE draft to the Ministry by posting In 2007-2010, a number of them on Ministry website. On the one governmental decrees were passed to hand, such developments will make it provide more specific management possible to simplify the procedure for and better transparency of atmospheric submitting design document and air protection. Particularly, these obtaining authorization for emissions, decrees and instruments came to cut the red tape and reduces corruption regulate relations between risks, and on the other, ensures a better organizations possessing stationary transparency of environmental pollution sources and the activities by business entities and state governmental agency holding control over such activities. To this authority in the field of atmospheric air end, e-Atmosphere website was protection with relation to the developed and put into operation. registration of business entities, and Since 2008, an electronic system was specifically established the minimal launched on the website to manage threshold for registration. The above atmospheric protection and instruments also define procedures for particularly to regulate emissions.
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In 2009-2010, the Ministry received Pollution, the Convention Secretariat 383 MPE design document with 162 of receives regular information on them submitted electronically. harmful emissions regulated by the The RA Governmental Decree Convention. Under this Convention, set procedures for forecasting, warning Armenia has an operating level 1 and addressing hazardous station in Hamberd within Co- meteorological incidences of excessive operative Program for Monitoring and atmospheric pollution, climate change Evaluation of Long-range and actual state of ozone layer. Transmission of Air Pollutants in The methodology for Europe (EMEP) launched with the calculation of harmful emissions into support of the Norwegian the atmosphere from thermal power Government. Station measurement plants running on natural gas was results are submitted to the EMEP adopted. Coordination Chemical Center At present, state registration and (Norway, Oslo). Armenia ranks among regulation covers 1301 entities with the best 6 stations according to the over 3850 sources of emissions into results from 68 stations. the atmosphere. This accounts for On May 14-16 2008, Yerevan about 96% of emissions from hosted an international workshop on stationary sources across the country potential support for the ratification of which is subjected to the state control. the Convention Protocol on Heavy Under UNECE Convention on Metals. Long-range Transboundary Air
2.2 Management of Hazardous Wastes and Chemicals
Key direction of the Such primary directions environmental policy of the Republic identified by RA Ministry of Nature of Armenia consists in ensuring secure Protection result from a series of management of waste and chemicals to programs designed to develop a prevent their harmful impact on human comprehensive approach in waste and health and environment. chemicals management. The results It must be observed that the identified the hot spots, shortcomings Republic of Armenia continues its and gaps in institutional, legislative, efforts towards creating a legal and staff-related, technical and other issues legislative foundation for chemical and that call for further amendment. waste management by defining key In order to regulate waste directions and strategic approaches and management issues, a normative and identifying national priorities in this legislative basis was formed, including domain. the RA Law on Waste Products and 64 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
a number of related sub-legislative Armenia lacks any waste instruments (RA Governmental processing plants or special facilities Decrees, Departmental orders). In to neutralize and bury waste products. order to meet the requirements of such In addition, our country faces another legal instruments and ensure safe big problem related to eco-friendly environmental management of waste disposal of waste with high levels of products, the Republic of Armenia persistent organic pollutants, including takes the following actions: oils and equipment contaminated with – Public registration of waste polychlorinated biphenyls. products; In order to improve the legal – Itemization of hazardous waste; framework for effective management – Registration of waste of waste products and chemicals and to generation, recycling and reprocessing, solve related problems, the "National as well as disposal locations to create Chemicals Management Profile" has and run relevant registers; been reviewed and updated in recent – Approval process for projects years. The Profile includes analyses of of waste generation norms and their legislative and institutional introductions quotas designed by legal mechanisms for chemical and waste persons and private entrepreneurs; management as well as functions of – Efforts to set up a public various public institutions handling cadastre waste products. these issues. The Profile also identified At the same time, the Republic of priority problems and follow-up Armenia continues to face pressing actions to solve them. problems related to eco-friendly use of Presently, the increased hazardous waste products, including production of building materials and expired and unfit pesticides, as long as growing construction activity have led the issues of eco-friendly disposal, to yet another problem for Armenia, neutralization and destruction of such which consists in high volumes of waste products remain outstanding. construction and demolition waste. RA "Rules on treatment of unfit Government developed and approved a pesticides" were designed to lay down paper entitled “Conditions for necessary conditions for registration, Construction and Demolition Waste inventory, identification, repackaging Safe Utilization" to address this and labeling of unfit pesticides problem. It aims to contribute to the existing and generated on the territory utilization of construction waste as a of the Republic of Armenia in the valuable secondary raw material, event of using (collection, storage, reduce its quantity and possible transportation and neutralization) such harmful impact on human health and pesticides. environment.
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Papers on “Specific Criteria for the Convention Secretariat; the Manual Generation of Main Types of is suggested as a guidebook for safe Production and Consumption Waste" management of tailing facilities. and "List of Wastes Produced in To ensure that the Republic of Different Technological Processes" Armenia meets its commitments under serve as a guideline for comprehensive Rotterdam Convention on the Prior waste management and control over its Informed Consent Procedure for production. Certain Hazardous Chemicals and At present, the continuous Pesticides in International Trade, the increase in chemicals production and following actions were taken in their potential negative impact on cooperation with the Convention human health and the environment Secretariat: have resulted in the need to solve the – June 2-6, 2008, a sub-regional problem of chemicals effective meeting on the Rotterdam Convention management. To this end, the National for Armenia and Moldova was held in Strategy to Reduce Risks of Chemical Yerevan to identify components of Impact on Human Health and the national programs or strategies for Environment was developed. The actions within the Rotterdam Strategy includes measures to reduce Convention based on the essential role risks of chemical impact on human of environmentally justified and health and the environment and ways effective use of chemicals in to take such measures. sustainable development of the Given the significance of tailing country, human health and facilities management and risk environmental protection. assessment, prevention of and control – November 23-27, 2009, over hazardous substances impact, safe Yerevan hosted a sub-regional construction of tailing facilities and awareness-raising workshop for prevention of failures, International Rotterdam Convention Designated Workshop on Safety of Tailing National Authorities on Stockholm and Management Facilities was held in Basel Conventions. The workshop Yerevan on November 12-14, 2007. brought together representatives of The workshop covered best practices Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in planning, construction and Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, exploitation of tailing facilities and Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Moldova and discussions on related safety Russian Federation. requirements. Representatives of 17 To ensure that the Republic of UN ECE attended the workshop. Armenia meets its commitments under Attendants of the workshop also Stockholm Convention on Persistent discussed the "Tailing Facilities Organic Pollutants, May 26-27, 2011, Management Manual" developed by the Convention Secretariat in 66 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
cooperation with UNEP held in of the Stockholm Convention. Yerevan a National awareness raising International experts and stakeholders workshop on 9 new persistent organic attended the workshop. pollutants (POP) and Implementation
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3. GLOBAL ISSUES WITHIN NATIONAL CONTEXT
3.1 Climate change
Country strategy, objectives and pending challenges at national level The position of the Republic of Increased production of energy Armenia on its response to climate from renewable energy sources; change issues derives from its status of Upgrading of thermal power plants; a state not included in the list of Annex Increase of energy efficiency in 1 to the Convention on Climate all branches of economy; Change. Raise power saving level in In 2010, the Republic of Armenia buildings and facilities; submitted its Second National Decrease methane leakage in gas Communication to the Convention transportation and supply Secretariat. systems; This status implies that the In transport sector, develop Republic of Armenia has no electricity-driven transportation and increase the proportion of quantitative commitments to reduce motor-vehicles fueled by natural greenhouse gas emissions under the gas; Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. At Reduce methane emissions from the same time, the country abides by municipal waste and wastewater; international efforts to fulfill the Ensure restoration and objective of the Convention and afforestation of degraded forests, declares its willingness to contribute reduce deforestation, maintain and increase the carbon towards international climate change content in soil. mitigation actions. Considering that As a state eligible to use the Convention objective is to stabilize resources of Global Environment the concentration of greenhouse gases Fund, the Republic of Armenia in the atmosphere at a certain level, currently carries out GEF projects in actions to achieve such objective lead the fields below: to limitation of greenhouse gas Improved energy efficiency of emissions. The state’s position on heat supply network, including limitation of greenhouse gas emissions in residential and public facilities. is outlined in its Copenhagen Accords Use of geothermal energy; association statement that includes the Renewable energy development. directions below: Guided by the above position and Implementation of the National the multilateral agreements made Program on Energy Saving and during the 16th Conference of the Renewable Energy (2007); Parties to the Convention on Climate 68 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Change in Cancun, the Republic of National Adaptation Program of Armenia intends to develop and Actions (NAPA) in the Republic of implement Nationally Appropriate Armenia is scheduled for development Mitigation Actions (NAMA). and implementation in the area of Nevertheless, given Armenia’s adaptation. status under the Convention and its It must be noted that capacity increased vulnerability to forecasted building in directions below is climate change, it is preferable for the essential for implementing the above country to adapt to implications of strategy: climate change. In this respect, the – Use “Ecosystem Services” Republic of Armenia has adopted a principle to develop sustainable synergic ecosystem approach financial mechanism; beneficial from the overall – Involve the civil society, environmental prospective and private sector, communities and consistent with provisions of global scientific society and create a climate treaties, such as Convention on of cooperation among them; Biological Diversity and Convention – Ensure effective mechanisms to Combat Desertification. to develop introduce and transfer Presently, Armenia runs technologies. Adaptation Project in Mountain Forest Ecosystem in Armenia funded by GEF.
3.2 Ozone Layer Protection
The Republic of Armenia ratified As of now, the strategy to replace the Vienna Convention for the "second generation" substances Protection of the Ozone Layer, the depleting the ozone layer has been Montreal Protocol on Substances that developed and approved. The Program Deplete the Ozone Layer and all implies the following actions: Amendments to the Protocol and duly introduce new ozone-friendly fulfills its commitments. technologies in “SAGA” refrigerator Since 2007, Armenia has factory, make relevant amendments to effective legislation on substances that the legislative framework and provide deplete the ozone layer, which enables trainings for refrigeration specialists the state to fulfill its key commitments on the proper use of "second under the treaties, i.e. progressively generation" substances depleting the reduce in Armenia the use of ozone layer. All of above actions will substances depleting the ozone layer. enable Armenia to meet in full its
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commitments under the Protocol also In May, 2009, Yerevan hosted in the future. international meeting of the Regional The implementation of “Country Ozone Network for Eastern Europe Programme on Phase-out of Ozone and Central Asia (ECA) countries Depleting Substances specifically within Article 5 of the Montreal includes trainings for customs officers Protocol on Substances that Deplete and refrigeration specialists (in 2007- the Ozone Layer. 2008, 78 customs officers and about The Program also features 450 refrigeration specialists were awareness campaigns. The National trained), information campaigns on Ozone Website is updated regularly. relevant ozone-friendly alternatives in Relevant literature, films, games and agriculture. Special teaching manuals other materials on the subject (modules) on ozone layer were developed by the United Nations developed for high schools to be later Environment Program are translated published and delivered to schools. into Armenian and published to be Teachers of relevant subjects will be later delivered to participants of retrained. 35 companies received regular awareness workshops. financial incentives for introducing International Ozone Day is ozone-friendly technologies. celebrated on September 16 with events dedicated to the subject.
The Minister of Nature Protection conducts lesson in Jermuk school on the occasion of the International Day for Protection of Ozone Layer 70 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
3.3 Combating Desertification
Sector Development Programs The international community has In the reporting period, a number long acknowledged desertification as a of anti-desertification projects funded global problem that entails through the State Budget allocations, environmental, economic and social international donor organizations and issues. donor states have been and still are Given its natural climatic carried out in the country. Such conditions and furthermore its projects aim to develop and improve transition economy, Armenia is monitoring (environment, forests, particularly vulnerable to special conservation areas, agricultural desertification. This claim is supported lands, etc), irrigation and collection by the fact that Transcaucasia is stated drainage systems, identify special in the Convention as an area affected areas of conservation, define and map by desertification. Desertification is limits of such areas, ensure defined by degraded land resources, reforestation, reduce poverty, ensure limited biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources, resources and as a result, worsening restore pastures, prevent deluge and social condition of the population. In flood, improve agricultural lands, Armenia, combat against ensure sustainable management of land desertification has developed into a resources and awareness raising strategic issue; mitigation and among population, etc. prevention of desertification stand In 2005-2007, planned among the guarantees for sustainable expenditures from Armenia’s state development of the country. budget were channeled into priority The issue is addressed by the investment programs on land, hay-land Armenian National Security Strategy, and irrigation improvement. Poverty Reduction Strategy and In 2006-2010, Armenia carried Government Program of the Republic out “Natural Resources Management of Armenia. and Poverty Reduction Project”, which In 2006, the Ministry of Nature also incorporated actions to mitigate Protection of the Republic of Armenia desertification in 2006-2009. prepared the Third National Report on Millennium Challenges Project Implementation of UN Convention to covered the expansion of irrigated Combat Desertification in Armenia areas and restoration of drainage and submitted it to the Convention systems. As a result, the surface of Secretariat. The National Report was irrigated areas increased by about 1300 published in Armenian and Russian. ha compared to 2007. In addition,
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steps were taken to improve natural and Eastern Europe under the hay-lands and irrigation, resulting in Convention. some 12 km of irrigation systems The year of 2010 has marked restored and more than 18 000 ha of launch of the Project for Sustainable remote natural pastures rendered Land Management for Mitigating Land usable. Degradation and Reducing Poverty in Under Irrigation System the South Caucasus Region that also Restoration Project, 260 km of features a number of issues to prevent waterlines, a number of pumping desertification. stations and water ponds were restored, The UN 10-year Strategy 238 deep wells were restored and built, Program to Combat Desertification and 310 km of the existing drainage suggests reviews of previously network were cleaned and set. developed national action plans to Armenia continues negotiations meet the requirements of the 10-year with the Secretariat of the UN Strategy. In this respect, the Armenian Convention to Combat Desertification National Action Program to Combat over the use of the Armenian Forestry Desertification is to be reviewed and Training Center in Zikatar as a submitted for approval of the RA regional training center for Central Government by 2013.
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4. NATIONAL PRIORITIES
4.1 Lake Sevan issue
As a part of Armenia’s water changes in Lake Sevan and brought ecosystems, Lake Sevan is of utmost about radical restructuring of the lake importance with its water collection ecosystem and its biodiversity, pond, preservation, sustainable use and significant interdependent qualitative management. and quantitative changes of bacteria, Lake Sevan is the largest alpine invertebrate fauna, various species of freshwater lake in the South Caucasus. fish or their communities. Lowered Prior to lowering of the lake level level of the Lake upset the overall (1933), the lake was located at 1915.57 balance of the Lake ecosystem; dried m above sea level with volume of 58.5 spawning areas caused extinction of km3 and water-surface area of 1416 endemic fish species lake biotypes: 2 km2. The lake is fed by 28 rivers and subspecies of Sevan trout. The present streams. Aggregate basin surfaces of volume of Lake Sevan totals 33.2 km3 the rivers total 2780 km (76.2% of the with surface of 1238 km2. The entire water-collection pond surface), maximum depth of the Lake is 79,4 m the only river flowing out of the lake is (Minor Sevan), average depth is 26,2 Hrazdan. m, and the shore line extends over Well-known for its unique fish some 230 km. species, Lake Sevan stands among the Considering the importance of most threatened ecosystems in Lake Sevan in the social and economic Armenia. In recent past, the lake had 3 development of the country, the endemic fish species, namely Sevan Government of Armenia took and trout with its 4 subspecies, Sevan continues to take a number of whitefish and Sevan barbel. Lowered measures to preserve ecosystems of level (by some 20,2 meters) of Lake Lake Sevan and its water collection Sevan resulting from considerable pond, restore ecological balance of the water outlet for economy and energy lake and ensure proper and balanced development purposes along with development of biodiversity and inefficient use of water resources, sustainable use of natural resources. industrial overuse of various fish Following a number of measures in species as well as increased current 2003-2010, the level of the lake rose waters flooded with lots of biogenic by 247 cm creating good conditions matters, heavy metals and pesticides for the restoration of water ecosystem flowing into the lake as a result of and biodiversity. As of 2011, the developing economy in the water absolute value of the Lake Sevan has collection basin area led to large-scale reached 1900.28 m. To raise the level
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of Lake Sevan, quotas are established gegharkuni larvae and young fish for the annual volume of water species released totaled 2,440,680; in channeled for irrigation and energy- 2008, the number of summer trout and making purposes through the irrigation gegharkuni species young fish totaled waterline of Hrazdan (approximately 244,680; in 2009, the number of 80-150 mln m3 during irrigation period summer trout and gegharkuni species only). young fish totaled 287,000; in 2010, 2007-2011 Management Plan for the number of summer trout young fish Sevan national park was developed totaled 192,000. and approved by the Government in In 2010 after a long pause, some the framework of World Bank Global improvements were reported in Environment Fund Natural Resources endemic species of the lake. Management and Reduction of Poverty To ensure preservation and Project in the Republic of Armenia. sustainable use of industrial fish Preservation, use and restoration species of Lake Sevan, the RA NAS of water biodiversity are of utmost Center of Zoology and Hydro-ecology importance for water ecosystem. In conduct annual fishery research under this respect, priority issues entail Sevan Fish and Crawfish Assessment preservation and restoration of Lake Program; results of such studies are Sevan endemic fish biodiversity used to determine the volume of usable (Sevan trout, Sevan barbel and Sevan fish species. whitefish). For instance, the volume of Natural reproduction of endemic approved fishing for 2010 totaled 210 fish species in Lake Sevan is tons of crawfish and 80 tons of endangered by the loss of their crucian. spawning areas, faulty policies on Under Comprehensive Recovery water use, worse quality of water or Program for Sevan Industrial and just physical destruction. With this in Endemic Fish species approved by the mind, the Government pays a RA Government in 2010, particular attention to replenishing fish quantification of fish and crawfish resources of Lake Sevan through industrial resources in Lake Sevan, artificial breeding to warrant the research into characteristics of subsistence of its fish population in endemic fish species in Lake Sevan natural environment. basin and water collection pond, In 2007-2011, the fish population examination of the current state of its of Lake Sevan was replenished under a natural spawning sites were state program. As a result, larvae and performed. young fish were released into the lake. While problems related to In 2007, the number of Sevan irrigation and water supply for whitefish, summer trout and domestic animals was resolved in most 74 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
communities of Lake Sevan basin, comprehensive programs on water they still persist in many other supply for large areas of Lake Sevan communities. Water supply for basin, wastewater system and domestic animals also causes big wastewater treatment, etc. environmental problems along the Considering the negative impact lakeside. Besides, irrigation systems of submerged coastal forest plantations mostly use waters from rivers flowing on the quality and pureness of water in into Lake Sevan. As a result of the lake caused by its raised level, the irregular and uncontrolled irrigation, RA Government funded and took most rivers dry up during summer actions to clean forest plantations under months causing considerable damage Medium Term Expenditure Program to Sevan whitefish, summer trout and (MTEP) in 2007-2010, covering 95 ha Sevan barbel spawning through May in 2007, 95 ha in 2008, 600 ha in 2009 and July. and 91 ha in 2010. In order to ensure preservation, The development of RA restoration and sustainable use of lake Governmental draft Decree on and water collection ponds Approving New Forest Floor around ecosystems, RA Government approved Lake Sevan Program is in progress. a decree in 2010 on Approving the The Program covers the Schedule of Measures developed in following actions: identify and map compliance with 2009 Action Plan of prospective areas in terms of Committee on Lake Sevan Issues under afforestation within Sevan National the RA President and submitted to the Park and its neighboring communities, Committee. The Decree provided for identify types and volumes of 43 measures, inter alia, developing a seedlings needed, as well as activities number of legal instruments to to identify financial, human and regulate the field and carry out technical resources.
4.2 Forest Protection
Forest lands in the Republic of purpose: protective, special and Armenia cover 459.9 thousand ha, industrial. where forested areas comprise 334.1 Forest distribution in the country thousand ha (11.2% of the country is uneven: more than 62% are spread territory), including 283.6 thousand ha in the north-east, 36% - in the south- of natural forests, and 50.5 ha of east and about 2% in extensive central artificial forests. Armenian forests are part, including Lake Sevan basin and categorized into groups based on their Shirak Plateau.
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RA Governmental Decree N 7-N Agriculture, and powers of state dated January 15, 2004, delegates state control over forest conservation, governing powers on forest protection, utilization and reproduction conservation, protection, utilization to the RA Ministry of Nature and reproduction to the RA Ministry of Protection.
The Minister of Nature Protection A.Harutyunyan is instructing pupils on tree plantingin Tavush region
The Ministry of Nature the forest hydrologic regime was Protection also holds the authority affected. to manage special areas of Mass deforestation has brought conservation (about 192 thousand about undesirable species modi- ha), including forest lands (about 72 fication, i.e. European and Oriental thousand ha). hornbeam forests take the place of Irregular forest exploitation, valuable beech and oak forests. energy crisis, increased deforestation, Deforestation led to reduced forest irregular pasturing, haying and other protection capacities, as well as causes led to big structural changes; as increased erosion, other negative a result, forest stands lost their natural effects and disturbed ecological capacity for recovery and productivity; environment. 76 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Reforestation activities are damage caused through environmental currently carried out in devastated and violations are regulated by the RA disorganized areas. Particularly, Laws on Nature Protection and Nature activities to build a new forest shelter Utilization Payments and on Fees for belt around Lake Sevan are underway Compensating Damage Caused to and will be completed in September Flora and Fauna due to 2011. Environmental Violations. Since 2007, regional Forestry As stipulated by RA Law on Training Center of Zikatar has Nature Protection and Nature operated in Armenia to provide Utilization Payments, a fee for the training for forestry staff. utilization of wood according to Armenia has mostly developed special rates established for that legislation on forest conservation, purpose. protection and utilization. In 2005, The RA Government The RA Government adopted a adopted the RA Law on Fees for number of legal instruments to Compensating Damage Caused to regulate issues related to the forest Flora and Fauna due to cadastre, inventory and registration. Environmental Violations to set fees Since 2008, Armenia has for compensating damage caused to introduced national forestry forest trees, shrubs, rare and valuable monitoring based on RA species and sylvula. RA draft law on Governmental Decrees on Forestry Amendments to the Law on Fees for National Monitoring Procedures and Compensating Damage Caused to Special Conservation Areas Flora and Fauna due to Monitoring Procedures. Environmental Violations is under In Armenia, forest and wood discussion. utilization as well as compensation for
4.3 Environmental Issues Associated with Mining Industry
Mining industry affects landscape landscape and biodiversity and biological diversity in three ways degradation; Open mines cause severe described below: damage to natural Accumulation and landscape and ecosystems diffusion around empty and as well lead to rock and waste of extracted landscape degradation; mineral (for instance, about Changes in hydrological 220 mln. m3 tails regime, physical features accumulate within tailing and chemical composition facilities) that leads to the of ground water.
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Mining industry also affects various agricultural, industrial and biodiversity through air and water other sites. pollution. Flora and fauna of some Human intensive anthropogenic water basins (e.g. lower stream of the impact (agriculture, mining and Debed River, Voghji River basin) were mountain metallurgy, chemical affected by severe damage or industry, energy and transport, significant changes caused by inflows utilities, etc.) on soil cover hinders of industrial waters and silt natural ecosystem restoration contaminated by industrial waste. As a mechanisms. result, water basins suffer from Moreover, "soil cover" signifies mechanical, chemical and thermal not only a soil layer, but rather an pollution. Such pollution has a integral biogenic system including negative impact on water flora and soil, water resources, vegetation and fauna species by destroying the natural other biomass. environment for their growth, As indicated in the National development and reproduction. Also, Action Program to Combat when used for irrigation, polluted Desertification, about 86.5% of water hinders agrocenoses Armenian lands suffer from different development. degrees of desertification. Another peculiarity of mining Desertification has various causes and industry implies that despite their high implications. The most striking ones hypsometric grids (e.g. Kajaran plant include land overexploitation, located over 2,000 m above sea level); anthropogenic environmental disasters, some mining companies damage lower insufficient environmental protection landscapes severely through leakages and climate change. in dumps caused by tails or To resolve issues related to land precipitations. resources in Armenia, an Mining industry has a direct environmental capital has been set to impact on soil cover. As a basic raise funds for recovery of ecology component of natural resources, soil after mining activities, in compliance serves as a specific natural absorbent with requirements of Article 65 of RA barrier to protect the atmosphere and Law on Concession of Surveying and water resources from pollution. At the Mining for the Purpose of Exploiting same time, land resources are essential Useful Ores. to ensure vital activity and carry
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4.4 Towards “Green” Economy
A certain number of Green obsolete technologies causing Economy Policy priority objectives are harmful emissions; Along with included in Sustainable Development improving administrative procedures, promote Program (SDP) (validity period to environmental mechanisms 2020) approved by the RA through applying principles of Government in 2008, the Program Public-Private Partnership, i.e. defines priority objectives below: environmental rating tools of enterprises, including Prevent or limit negative international practices of ISO effect on human health and standards. environment; Eliminate atmospheric over 2) Following the need to create pollution; favorable conditions for economic Mitigate negative impacts of development, current nature protection global climate change; and nature utilization payments are Maintain biodiversity; rather small and by no means comply Provide necessary volume of renewable natural resources with real economic values of reproduction and conditions resources/damages and, therefore, lack for natural balance, any sufficient influence on Provide rational and effective environmental and nature management use of nonrenewable natural behavior of business entities. The resources. current development stage implies
critical economic analyses to improve Most key directions of environmental impact assessment environmental issues valid for the system and develop phased program. actual stage of country's development 3) The Program features stipulated in SDP are consistent with developing environmental mana- development objective in question. gement plans of enterprises and Some of such directions are laid down introducing a self-monitoring/self- below: control system. Production compliance 1) Improve environmental policy with environmental standards is also instruments: prioritized within export-oriented economic model. Along with economic growth, Regretfully, within the period of promote environmentally safe 2009-2010 not all prior actions and resource-saving best designed to accomplish these technologies through objectives were due to financial and environmental economic instruments to further abandon economic crisis.
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4.4.1 Introducing green technologies Jermaghbyur geothermal power 1) Renewable (alternative) energy plant with capacity of 25 MW; use Installation of solar water- In recent years, Government heating units totaling about 3000 m2; policy to improve renewable energy Photovoltaic unit with capacity utilization has resulted in considerable of 10 kW in parallel operation progress in Armenian energy sector. with electrical grid set on the Particularly, following measures were roof of Armenian-American implemented by the Government and Wellness Center. international organizations funding: In the framework of GEF- Construction of Lori-1 wind founded Project on Improving the power plant with installed Energy Efficiency of Urban Heating capacity of 2.64 MW; and Hot Water Supply, 292 sq. m. Construction of 56 small hybrid systems of solar water-heaters hydropower plants (with were installed. capacity of up to 10 MW) to produce about 250 mln. kWh A solar water-heater with a energy; capacity of 5.6 kW was installed in a Development of technical and residential facility in the town of Artik economic justification to build under GEF Small Grants Program.
Solar water heating system at Sevan Vazgenyan Seminary, . 60 sq. m. system with a capacity of 42 kW
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In 2010, statistical data suggested investment environment, and, that about 40 per cent of energy in consequently, a private enterprise Armenia was produced by renewable (“EuroSibEnergo-Engeneering” LLC) energy resources. showed interest in investments. The public sector represented by 2) Energy efficiency the Yerevan city municipality In 2010, the RA Government transferred free of charge to issued Protocol Decree N43 to approve ArmRusCogeneration private RA Government Action Plan for the enterprise the old and collapsed water RA National Program on Energy supply collapsed system, while the Saving and Renewable Energy. Avan community provided office In 2010, the RA Government premises and land space for laying a issued Protocol Decree N43 to approve heating supply network. The Project is RA Government Action Plan for the a promising example of public-private RA National Program on Energy partnership, and once some private and Saving and Renewable Energy. institutional barriers are removed, can Energy Efficiency of Urban become widely applicable in terms of Heating and Hot Water Supply Project civilized and energy efficient way for funded by GEF and implemented by restoring heating systems in Armenian UNDP provided assistance to restore cities and towns. centralized heating system in 218 Due to energy efficiency of multistoried residential buildings in cogeneration-based heat supply Avan community. On December 15, restoration approach, such sector 2009, the opening of the pilot system became attractive for investors, which (covering 76 buildings) took place. is especially relevant for increased Such system serves as an example on energy fees. how to restore environmental and social facilities through innovative 3) Safe and resource-saving technologies (by small-scale technologies cogeneration). It also sets a fine a. Japanese Government low example of effective public and private interest (0,75 per cent) long-term (40 cooperation approach and experience years, of about 250 mln US dollars) sharing. “green” credit to Armenia was used to The Project succeeded due to a build Yerevan Combined-Cycle novel approach to combined thermal Thermal Power Plant. and electric energy rates (affordable Environmental effect of the thermal and electric energy rates that Project: by no means exceed Hrazdan thermal – Carbon dioxide (CO2) power plant electric energy rates). emissions reduced by 618,686 ton Such approach created an attractive
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annually due to high efficiency of the 1. Nubarashen Landfill Gas system; Capture and Power Generation Project; – Carbon oxide (CO) emissions 2. Lusakert Biogas Plant (LBP), reduced by 5,196 ton annually due to Methane Capture and complete and effective combustion; Combustion From Poultry – About threefold reduction in Manure Treatment; nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions by 3. Yeghegis Small-Scale Hydro 2,790 tons annually, due to gradual Project; combustion technology. 4. Argichi Small Hydroelectric CDM Project (underway); b. Discussions with Shimizu 5. Jradzor Small Hydroelectric Japan Corporation contributed to CDM Project. agreement on another initiation within the CDM Project, i.e. study ways to First stage of Nubarashen Landfill introduce heat supply technology Gas Capture and Power Generation through thermal pumps. In case of Project dates back to October 13, 2009. positive results, the study will set The Project is conducted in the another direction for CDM Projects in framework of Public-Private full compliance with “green economy” Partnership with Yerevan Municipality concept; since it will reduce use of representing the public sector and mineral fuel (natural gas) that will in Shimizu Japan Corporation its turn reduce emissions of representing the private sector. greenhouse gases and harmful Presently, captured methane is subject substances. only to combustion and develops into c. “Methodology for Calculation carbon dioxide. Consequently, along of Emissions from Solid, Liquid and with other environmental benefits, Gaseous Fuel Fired Boiler Houses greenhouse gas emissions decrease by with up to 5.8 MW Installed Capacity” about 10 times from the area under the Project was developed in the project (only ~7 ha). The Project plans framework of measures to introduce to use the gas captured to produce the best environmental technologies energy through generators with (technological setting). installed capacity of 1–1.5 MW. Project monitoring is underway to provide for 4) Kyoto Protocol Clean development regular “Certified Emission mechanism (CDM) projects Reductions” (CER). Initial “Certified Currently, the Republic of Emission Reductions” within the Armenia counts 5 Projects registered Project equaling 12022 ton CO2 date by the CDM Executive Board, either back to April 2010. Projects above can in implementation or exploitation serve as a basis for similar projects in stages. the cities of Gyumry and Vanadzor.
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RA Ministry of Nature Protection Factory" OJSC CDM Project Idea as CDM Designated National Authority Note (PIN) with renowned large CDM also endorsed 6 CDM project companies, including «Camco documents on small hydropower plants International» and UNDP MDG and reduction of methane emissions in Carbon Fund. the gas distribution network of the During the 10th Forum of the Republic of Armenia. CDM Designated National Authorities In 2010-2011, the Ministry (DNA) at 16th Convention for Parties studied and approved the Project Idea to United Nations Framework Note (PIN) on the Upgrade of the Convention on Climate Change in the Hrazdan thermal power plant block 5 city of Cancun, Mexico, the Executive into a modern electric power plant Board awarded Armenia the title of with combined thermal turbine cycle "Best Designated National Authority and contributed towards further of the Year" for its activities, negotiations on poultry manure awareness-raising campaigns and utilization and thermal (electrical) active participation in the Clean energy production in "Arax Poultry Development Mechanism.
4.4.2 Organic Agriculture (ensuring efficient land management with low emissions) While pesticides are widely used i. e. manure, biohumus, peat, plant ash in agriculture to fight pests all over the and composts that contain all the world today and are economically necessary nutrients and also enrich the beneficial, they still have very harmful soil with organic materials and effect on the environment. Along with contribute towards increased soil pests they also destroy useful fertility and structural development. At biological organisms and bio- the same time, organic agriculture communities and cause water and soil tolerates no toxics or pesticides to fight contamination. pests and weeds, but rather implies This calls for biogeocenosis basis methods of biological struggle i.e. by for agricultural industry and organic using herbal extracts. In Armenia, agriculture. Organic agriculture organic agriculture development is still implies a system that aims to address at its primary stage. In the reporting environmental issues along with period, Armenia set up a legal economically beneficial agricultural framework for organic agriculture. production. Organic agriculture uses April 8, 2008, the RA National no synthetic chemical compounds, Assembly adopted the RA Law on mineral fertilizers, pesticide, artificial "Organic agriculture" to regulate stimulants but rather natural fertilizers, relations in production, storage,
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processing, transportation and opportunities for entering high-end realization of organic agricultural production markets. Export situation products and raw materials as well as improvement for specific markets, the stocking of wild herbs. The Law such as organic food markets, implies sets legal basis for organic agriculture, product export. International markets, key principles, requirements in terms especially in EU countries, show an of product circulation, and types of increasing demand for both fresh and state assistance and responsibilities of processed food. Armenia possesses the authorized agency. certain conditions for improving its The RA Governmental Decree N production to provide more added 1476-N dated November 4, 2010 values. approved the Sustainable Development Alpine and subalpine zone Strategy for Village and Agriculture pastures available in Armenia are key and List of Supporting Strategic prerequisites for producing cattle- Measures for the Republic of Armenia breeding products and possessed in 2010-2020. organic foodstuff. Sub-objectives under key The Strategy outlines directions Strategy objectives include Environ- below to develop and improve organic mental and natural landscape agriculture in Armenia: protection, agro-tourism and organic a. Develop and adopt legal agriculture development as sub- instruments to ensure application of objective, and Organic agriculture the RA Law on Organic agriculture. development as key objective. Such acts will combine regulatory Increased competitiveness and legislation on relations within organic local production volume needs for agriculture and the compatibility 110-120 Technology Assessment assessment procedure, organic Programs annually in most important production brand and label areas, particularly by using various approaches, responsibilities of assistance mechanisms (special economic entities and directions of purpose loans, deposit guarantees, relevant state assistance. interest subsidy, grants, etc.), export- b. Assist in forming agencies to oriented production and export validate (assess) compatibility within promotion. The above also refers to the private sector. Such agencies must organic products. have relevant control (supervisory Because of low-level export, low- activities) experience, resources and cost production, bad reputation for qualified staff and provide transparent product safety and quality, Armenia is activities and maintain commercial forced to accept prices, rather than confidentiality of business entities impose them. Armenian agricultural within relevant evaluation functions. products enjoy only limited Competent state authorities will 84 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
accredit compatibility assessment e. Develop awareness-raising agencies. campaigns for customers on organic c. Develop national organic production and product; production (technical regulations) f. Assist to set up a specialized standards and ensure their compliance pilot training center for organic with international criteria; agriculture production. d. In order to promote organic To promote organic agriculture, a production, develop and introduce relevant program is planned for 2010- relevant subsidiary mechanisms; 2020, with estimated investment volume of 350 mln AMD.
Examples “Shen" NGO is a pioneer of organic agriculture development in Since 2002, “Shen” NGO has Armenia. Since 2002, the NGO has embarked on development of spread organic agriculture techniques Armenian organic agriculture and among farming groups and individual launched public awareness campaigns farmers, ensured developed free about organic production. Imported consulting service and customer- and local organic foodstuff, personal oriented awareness campaigns on care items and make-up are already organic food, under Regional can be found on the local market. Development Program funded by Armenia exports processed organic Swiss Agency for Development and production to EU countries: France, Cooperation and EPER. Germany and Switzerland. “Shen” NGO seeks to provide Ile-de-France Regional Counsel favorable conditions for equal and and “Shen-France” organization consistent development of components supported the "Shen” NGO in the below: framework of organic agriculture Trainings and vocational development and partially funded a counseling for farmers; program throughout 2007-2008. Encourage organic industry and processing; Promote market surveys and All prerequisites are available: sale of organic products; favorable climatic conditions for Certification; cultivation of some fruits and Dissemination of information vegetables, non-polluted soil and and cooperation among water, diligent farmers. Therefore, stakeholders. One of key organic products from Armenia have Program objectives suggests everything it takes to enter the creation of new markets for European market. farmers to encourage their
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preference for organic Farmer training and vocational agriculture. “Shen” NGO counseling – Over years, “Shen” NGO believes that real growth in counseling group provides trainings for Armenian organic production more than 300 farmers. “Shen” NGO can be achieved through organic agriculture counseling group export and realization in the visits regions (marzes) and introduces local market. Since organic the ideas of organic agriculture to small agriculture is also socially- and middle households, provide oriented, most exports can be counseling on key issues and conditions managed through Fair Trade and assistance in application procedures International Association Our for certification. Counselors’ support beneficiary farmers have enables all farmers or producers raise already sold dried apricots any questions and get necessary and verdure in Switzerland information. through “Claro” Fair Trade Company for three years.
4.4.3 Introduction of relevant environmental management schemes in business operations RA Draft Law on Self-control Outstanding issues over meeting environmental legislative requirements has been developed and 1. Lack of relevant legislative and methodological basis hinders the is currently at the final stage of RA rd introduction of “Green economy” in National Assembly 3 reading; Armenia. b. Measures to introduce best 2. Lacking relevant studies and environmental technologies assessments in the field of (technological normalization), include environmental pollution and natural the actions below: resources overexploitation components within key RA Governmental Decree on macroeconomic indicators. Approving Energy Efficiency Labeling 3. Introduction of "Green economy" Procedures for Energy Saving Devices reveals numerous outstanding and Equipment was drafted and problems in need of progressive submitted to the RA Ministry of Energy solutions and obligatory assistance to and Natural Resources. developing countries from developed Energy capacity and efficiency countries through all available and 7 standards were located and accessible types and mechanisms. synchronized for residence and public 4. Introduction of renewable energy facilities. Professional expertise of the innovative technologies and technical Standards is complete and they are mechanisms (wind power plants, currently at the endorsement stage. solar plants) are hindered by high 86 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
prices of their production and 12. The actual standards and technical procurement. regulations lack sufficient 5. Further exploitation of the Armenian requirements for high production Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) and effectiveness and green (energy building of another power plant are efficient, resource-saving, etc.) not considered reasonable in terms of technologies, ecologically clean and public security. high quality production and/or 6. Given low nature utilization fees, cycle purchase. resource utilization cannot be 13. Economic instruments in considered as ecologically beneficial transportation area also lack yet. Under such circumstances, sufficient incentives to reduce Armenia is significantly behind emissions and streamlined use of developed countries in terms of natural non-renewable resources. Financial resources volume for a GDP unit. resources from transportation taxes 7. In the absence of relevant state are not channeled into development policies and encouragement of more effective (“green”) public mechanisms on favorable transport vehicles with fewer environment for “green” (environ- emissions. mentally preferred) technologies, the 14. The actual environmental studies private sector is not interested in such system still fails to use the changing technologies, and without the private potential of human mind as a key sector no progress is possible. factor for "green" economy in 8. Introduction of green technologies decision-making, behavior change, still lacks sufficient use of civil definition of requirements society support and all the (restrictions) demand for green opportunities of cooperation between technologies, environmentally clean public and private sectors. and high quality production 9. The procedures in question are (especially, introducing environ- hindered by limited integration of mental effective labeling and environmental issues in some certification systems). branches of economy, such as 15. Limited number of studies and transportation, energy, housing and proposals on "green” technologies agriculture. and innovations; 10. The political will towards “Green 16. Mechanisms with state support to Economy” lacks sufficient strength encourage “green” innovations, to (i.e. “green economy” economic and provide scientific research and social privileges still lack sufficient eliminate initial stage obstacles to assessment under environmental innovations lack enough efficiency; efficiency and social justice); 17. There are no mechanisms, 11. The current tax and permissions particularly, within international (restrictions) operating systems still environmental treaties (agreements) fail to encourage enterprises to encourage technology and (especially environmental utilization innovation transmissions from organizations) to change their developed countries to developing behavior for "green economy"; ones; regulatory role of such systems is 18. Funding of “green” technologies and significantly weaker than fiscal role. innovations within environmental
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protection and environmental for Europe", September 21-23 will services still lacks favorable serve as key incentives to catalyze conditions for the involvement of introduction of "green" economy and financial/banking capital. provide greater role for environmental 19. Priority and strategy decisions to be factor (role) in economic development taken at Astana Pan-European in Armenia. Ministerial Summit on "Environment
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5. MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2007-2011
Environmental activities, mea-sures and programs in 2007-2011 led to the achievements below: under Association Agreement in As of 2011, the absolute 2010-2011. watermark of Lake Sevan reached 1900.28 m. As of 2003, Plant and animal Red Books of the lake level raised by some Armenia were published; 2.47 m. The Government 2 national parks and 3 approved the 2007-2011 reservations were established; Management Plan for Sevan List of natural monuments was National Park. compiled (230 sites); Enhanced activities by National Forged cooperation with public Council for Sustainable deve- sector, enhanced list of lopment; environmental information The regulatory environmental centers; legislation improvement was in Enhanced institution of public progress; participation; Development and implemen- Introduction of electronic tation of National Environ- system for granting mental Action Plan 2 for 2008- environmental permits; 2012. Level 1 international station for Enhanced scope of Armenia-EU transboundary atmospheric air cooperation, RA and EU pollution monitoring was negotiated environmental issues established in Amberd in 2008.
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Abbreviations
BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development BSEC Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation CoE Council of Europe EC European Commission EECCA Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia EU European Union EUWI European Water Initiative GEF Global Environment Facility GIZ German International Cooperation IUCN The World Conservation Union KfW Entwicklungsbank NSPA National Special Protected Areas OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe REC Regional Environment Center UN United Nations Organisation UNDP United Nations Development Program UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNEP United Nations Environment Program USAID United States Agency for International Development WB World Bank WWF World Wide Fund
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Annex 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
Date of N The Title adoption 1. “Basics of the environmental Legislation of the Republic of 02.05.2001 Armenia” 1991 2. The law of the Republic of Armenia “On Specially Protected 04.06.2002. Natural Areas” 2006 (a first code with this name was adopted in 18.12.1991) 3. The Land Code of the Republic of Armenia 2001 (a first code 06.11.2002. with this name was adopted in 1992). 4. The Water Code of the Republic of Armenia 2002 (a first code 24.10.2005. with this name was adopted in 23.03.1992) 5. The Underground Resources Code of the Republic of Armenia 01.11.1994. 2002 (a first code with this name was adopted in 19.03.1992) 6. The Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia 2005 (a first code 12.12.1995. with this name was adopted in 01.11.1994) 7. The law of the RA “On Atmospheric Air Protection” 1994 30.12.1998. 8. The law of the RA “On Environmental Impact Assessment” 22.12.1999. 1995 9. The law of the RA “On Environmental and Nature Use 03.05.2000. Charges” 1998 10. The law of the RA “On Tariffs of Environmental Charges” 09.03.2001. 2006 (a first law with this name was adopted in 29.04.2000) 11. The law of the RA “On Purposeful Use of Environmental 11.06.2001. Charges Paid by Companies” 2001 12. The law of the RA “On Flora” 1999 14.06.2001. 13. The law of the RA “On Fauna” 2000 27.12.2001. 14. The law of the RA “On Hydro-meteorological Activity” 2001 27.12.2001.
15. The law of the RA “On Lake Sevan” 2001 17.12.2001.
16. The law of the RA “On Annual Program of Lake Sevan 06.07.2002. Ecosystem Restoration, Conservation, Reproduction and Use” 2001 17. The law of the RA “On Complex Program of Lake Sevan 05.11.2002. Ecosystem Restoration, Conservation, Reproduction and Use” 2001 18. The law of the RA “On Environmental Education” 2001 11.12.2002.
19. The law of the RA “On Seismic Protection” 2002 24.11.2004
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20. The law of the RA “On Concession of Subsoil for Surveying 11.04.2005 and Mining for the Purpose of Exploiting Useful Ores” 2002 21. The law of the RA “On Amending the Code on Administrative 03.05.2005 Violations” 2002 22. The law of the RA “On Waste” 2004 03.05.2005 23. The law of the RA “On environmental supervision” 2005 27.11.2006
24. The law of the RA “On tariffs for compensation of damage 27.11.2006 caused to fauna and flora as a result of environmental violation” 2005 25. The law of the RA “On basic principles of the national water 27.11.2006 policy ” 2005 26. The law of RA “On the substances depleting ozone layer” 2006 20.12.2006
27. The law of RA “On national water programmed of RA” 2006 09.04.2007 92 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Annex 2 PARTICIPATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
NN Name, Place and Date Ratified by In force NA RA for RA GLOBAL CONVENTIONS 1. Convention on Wetlands of International Acceded as 1993 Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat assignee by (Ramsar, 1971) the request of MFA RA 1993 2. Convention concerning the protection of the Acceded as 1993 World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Paris assignee by 1972) the request of MFA RA in 1993 3. UN Convention on Biological Diversity 31.03.1993 14.05.1993 (Rio-de-Janeiro, 1992) Cartagena Protocol (Montreal, 2001) 16.03.2004 29.07.2004
4. UN Framework Convention on Climate 29.03.1993 21.03.1994 Change (New York, 1992) - Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto, 1997) 26.12.2002 16.02.2005
5. UN Convention to Combat Desertification 23.06.1997 30.09.1997 (Paris, 1994) 6. Convention for the Protection of the Ozone 28.04. 1999 01.10.1999 Layer (Vienna, 1985) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete 28.04. 1999 01.10.1999 the Ozone Layer (Montreal, 16 September 1987) London amendment 22.10.2003 26.11.2003 Copenhagen amendment 22.10.2003 26.11.2003 Montreal amendment 29.09.2008 18.03.2009 Beijing amendment 29.09.2008 7. Convention on the Control of Transboundary 26.03. 1999 01.10.1999 Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel, 1989)
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8. Convention on the Prior Informed Consent 22.10.2003 26.11.2003 Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemical and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam, 1998) 9. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic 22.10.2003 17.05.2004 Pollutants (Stockholm, 2001) 10. Convention on International Trade in 10.04.2008 21.01.2009 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (Washington, 1979) 11. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory 27.10.2010 01.03.2011 Species of Wild Animals (Bonn, 1979) REGIONAL – UNECE CONVENTIONS 12. UNECE Convention on Long-range 14.05.1996 21.02.1997 Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva, 1979) Protocol on Long-term Financing of the In the process Cooperative Programme for Monitoring and of ratification Evaluation of the Long-Range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP) 13. UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact 14.05.1996 10.09.1997 Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991) - Protocol on Strategic Environmental 25.10.2010 24.04.2011 Assessment (Kiev, 2003) 14. UNECE Convention on Transboundary Effects 14.05.1996 21.02.1997 of Industrial Accidents (Helsinki, 1992) 15. UNECE Convention on access to information, 14.05.2001 01.08.2001 public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters (Aarhus, 1998) 16. UNECE Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki, 1992) Protocol on Water and Health (London, 1999) In the process of ratification 17. Convention on the Prohibition of Military or 04.12.2001 15.05.2002 any Hostile use of Environmental Modification Techniques (Geneva, 1976) 18. European Landscape Convention (Florence, 23.03.2004 01.07.2004 2000) 19. Convention on the Conservation of European 26.02.2008 01.08.2008 Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979)
94 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
Annex 3 LIST OF IMPLEMENTED, ONGOING AND PLANNED REGIONAL PROJECTS IN 2007-2011 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE MINISTRY OF NATURE PROTECTION OF RA WITH FOREIGN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
N Project title Project Duration Donor budget / co-founder /US $/ /contractor
Completed / Ongoing 1. “In-situ conservation of 12.003 994 Crop Wild Relatives Trough US$ GEF/UNDP Enhanced Information /total budget IPGRI Management and Field for countries 2005-2010 BMZ, Application” FSP (Armenia, 1.130 000 IUCN Bolivia, Madagascar, Shri - US$ for Governments Lanka, Uzbekistan) Armenia/ 2. “Trans-boundary rivers 3 000 000 management for Kura River 6.06.2008- Euro management “ (phase 2nd) 06.12.2010 EIU/TACIS /for 43 /Armenia, Georgia countries / Azerbaijan// 3. “Sustainable Development 418 000 Euro of Mountain Regions of the 2007- EU/REC
Caucasus – Local Agenda 2010 . Caucasus թթ 21” 4. “Sustainable Land Management for Mitigating Land Degradation and 1 782 860 EU/REC 2009-2012 Reducing Poverty in the Euro Caucasus South Caucasus Region”
5. “Fostering Community 2 284 660 Forest Policy and Practice in Euro EU/REC Mountain Regions of the 2009-2012 Caucasus Caucasus” /for 4 countries/ 6. “Establishment of the 2 200 000 BMZ/KfW protected Areas in 2007-2011. Euro /WWF/ Armenia’s Javakhq region,” 7. “Support to the sustainable 6 500 000 2008-2011. GIZ management of the natural Euro
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recourses in the South Caucasus” 8. “Creation of Enabling Environment for Integrated 350 000 Euro EU/REC Management of the Kura- 2008-2010 Caucasus Aras Trans- boundary Rivers Basin” 9. Development of local environmental action plan OSCE/ REC 16 000 Euro 2010-2011 (LEAP) in the town of Caucasus Kapan, Armenia” 10. “Water management program in Eastern Europe 5 000 000 EU/REC 2008-2010 Caucasus and Central Asia Euro Caucasus Countries” (EECCA) 11. ”Feasibility Study for 2010 . Shikahogh project” 180.000 Euro թ KfW/E.C.O
12. “Air Quality Governance- 6 935 000 ENPI East Countries” 2011-2014. EU/ENPI Euro project 13. “Waste Governance- ENPI /for 7 European 2009-2013 East project countries/ Commission 14. “Support programme for 4.000.000 KfW / Protected Areas in Caucasus 2011-2015 Euro Governments –Armenia” (Phase 3rdլ) 15. Identification and implementation of adaptation response to climate change impact for 1.787.500 EU/REC conservation and sustainable Euro 2011-2014 Caucasus use of agro-biodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of South Caucasus” Planned projects 16. “Fresh water and marine --- 2011 conservation in wide EU/ENPI Black Sea region” 17. «International Rivers basin --- 2011 EU/ENPI environment conservation»
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Annex 4 LIST OF IMPLEMENTED, ONGOING AND PLANNED PROJECTS IN 2007-2011 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE MINISTRY OF NATURE PROTECTION OF RA WITH FOREIGN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
N Project title Project budget Duration Donor US$ organization 1. “Country Programme 1 927 772 US$ on Phasing-Out Ozone Only 2005- GEF/UNDP Depleting Substances” international 2009. financing 2. “Capacity Building for Effective Participation in 2007- 39 954 US$ GEF/UNEP the Bio safety Clearing 2008. House” 3. Pilot Project for the development of the Areas of Special 2007- Conservation Interest 9 000 Euro Council of Europe 2008 /Emerald/ Network in the Republic of Armenia of the Bern Convention 4. “2010 Biodiversity Targets National Assessments, including 2008- Preparation of the 4th 19 800 Euro GEF/UNDP/UNEP 2009 National Report of Convention on Biodiversity” 5 “Armenia: Assessment of Climate Change 2008- Impact on Social- 77 500 US $ UNDP 2009 Economic Situation in Armenia” 6. “Assistance in Raising Public Awareness and Preparedness in the 2008- 35 000 Euro BMU/ “JINJ” LTD Zone Affected by 2009 Industrial Emergency”
7. “Enabling Activities for 2007- 405 000 US$ GEF/UNDP the Preparation of 2011
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Armenia's Second National Communication to the UNFCCC” 8. “Development, formulation of 40 000 CHF Secretariat of the implementation 1 020 000 2007- Ramsar Strategy, and the Launch AMD /14 554 2011. Convention of the National Wetland CHF/ Policy in Armenia” 9. “Institutional Multilateral Fund Strengthening and for the 2009- Capacity Building” /2nd 120 000 US $ Implementation of 2010. phase/ the Montreal Protocol/UNIDO 10. Preparation of hydro Multilateral Fund chlorofluorocarbons for the 2009- Phase-Out Management 85 000 US$ Implementation of 2010 Plan for Armenia the Montreal Protocol/UNDP 11. Armenia: Improving the 2.950.000 $ Energy Efficiency of the for project, Urban Heating and Hot 210.000 $, 2005- GEF/UNDP Water Supply PDF-B 2012 Sub-total: 3.160.000 $ 12. Developing Institutional and Legal Capacity to 475 000 US$ Optimize Information
and Monitoring System 2009- GEF/UNDP for Global 2011 130 000 US$ Environmental /co-financing/ Management in Armenia
13. Adaptation to Climate 900 000 US$ Change Impacts in GEF/UNDP 2009- Mountain Forest / 1 900 000 The Government 2012 Ecosystems of Armenia US$ of RA /co-financing / 14. Improving Energy 1 045 000 US $ Efficiency in Buildings /GEF/ 2010- 150 000 US$ GEF/UNDP 2015 /UNDP/ 2 200 000 98 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
/GOV of RA/ 15. Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis of Obsolete Pesticides in 2008- 213 000 Euro NATO Armenia for 2011. Environmentally Sound Disposal 16. "Armenia and UNEP Partnership Initiative for Sound Management of 2008- 185 680 US $ SAICM/QSP Chemicals and 2010. Implementation of SAICM in Armenia” 17. “Technical Assistance for Environmentally Sustainable Management of PCBs 830 000 US $ 2009- GEF/UNIDO and other POPs Waste, 2012 technical assistance for POPs in the Republic of Armenia “ 18. Identification of Areas of Special Conservation Council of Europe 2009- Interest /Emerald/ 34 000 Euro European 2011 Network in the Republic Commission of Armenia “ 19. Developing the 2010- Protected Area System 950 000 US$ GEF/UNDP 2013 of Armenia 20. Developing the Protected Area System 2010- of Armenia: Improving 990 000 US$ GEF/UNDP 2013 capacity building and management regime 21. “Zikatar” State Reserve 18 750 Euro Grant Agreement /including 2010 CNF 2 000 Euro for audit/ 22. “Arevik” National Park 16 750 Euro Grant Agreement /including 2010 CNF 2 000 Euro for audit / 23. “Khosrov Forest” State 285 045 Euro 2010- CNF Reserve grant for 3 years 2012
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Agreement /including 30 000 Euro for audit / 24. “Arevik” National Park 150 000 Euro 2011- Grant Agreement for 3 years 2013 /including CNF 30 000 Euro for audit / 25. “Shikahogh” State 180 000 Euro Reserve Grant for 3 years 2011- Agreement / including CNF 2013. 30 000 Euro for audit / 26. “Reserve Park 15 000 Euro Complex” Grant /including 2011. CNF Agreement 2 000 Euro for audit / 27. “Dilijan” National Park 2011- 45 000 Euro CNF Grant Agreement 2012. Planned projects 28 “Assistance for Improving Armenia’s National GHG 400.000 US$ 1 year USAID Inventory, MRV of GHG’s, and Attracting Carbon Finance”
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Annex 5 LIST OF PROJECTS SUBMITTED FOR GEF-5 FUNDING UNDER STAR ALLOCATIONS
N Proposed project Indicativ- Articles of the List of GEF titles, under eamount, Conventions implementing Conventions mln. USD agencies Sustainable land 1 To be management and land UNCCD - 0.9 identified conservation issues in Article 4,5,8 later the mining exploitation
2 Community agricultural UNCCD - resources management 1.5 WB and competitiveness Article 2, 4, 5 project 3 Improve legislative and institutional capacities UNCCD; for sustainable land and UNFCCC- 2.02 UNDP forest management and Article 2, 4, 8, enhance carbon stocks 18 in Armenia
4 Increase energy UNFCCC- efficiency in lighting 1.65 Article 4, UNDP systems of Armenia point 1(c)
Improvement of living 5 UNCBD- conditions in rural Article 15 communities of 1.0 UNCCD - UNEP Armenia through agro- Article 2, 4, biodiversity 5,8 conservation and use
6 Establishment of national ecological To be UNCBD - network of protected 0.5 identified Article 8 areas later
7 Small Grants 400.000 UNFCCC, Program (SGP) UNCBD, UNOPS UNCCD
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Annex 6 LIST OF PROJECTS AIMED AT CAPACITY BUILDING AND REPORTING UNDER RIO CONVENTIONS
N Proposed Project Indicative Articles of the GEF project Type amount, Convention implement- title USD ing agencies 1 Environmental Enabling Up to 1 Stockholm Convention UNIDO regulation for activity mln. on POPs - Article 5 prevention of Dioxins / Furans releases at open waste burning and other sources
2 Stockholm Enabling 250,000 Stockholm Convention National convention activities on POPs Article 7 agency National Implementation Plan (NIP) up- date under requirements on new POPs
3 Treatment and 5 mln. Stockholm Convention UNDP Disposal of on POPs POPs Article 6 point d (ii)
4 Environmental Cross- 500,000 Articles12,13/UNCBD/ UNDP education and cutting Article 6/UNFCCC / awareness Article 19/UNCCD / raising for Rio Article 10 Stockholm Conventions Convention on (POPs)
5 Third National Enabling 500,000 UNFCCC National Communication activities Article 4.1, 12 agency Preparation under UNFCCC 102 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
6 Climate change Enabling 100,000 UNFCCC- Article 4, UNEP technology activity point 5 needs assessment in priority areas
Develop Enabling 500,000 UNCBD- Article 26 National 7 National activities agency biodiversity strategy and action plan and biosafety report under the CBD and update National Action Program (NAP) with the UNCBD 10- Year Strategy
Develop Enabling 150,000 UNCCD- Article 26 National 8 National activities UNCCD- Articles 4, 5, agency Report under 10, 9, 19 the UNCCD and update of the National Action Program (NAP) with the UNCCD 10- Year Strategy
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Annex 7 HYDROLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION IN ARMENIA AS PER LARGE RIVER BASINS AND FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
N River basin Surface, Flow, Volume module of km2 mil. m3 flow, mil. m3/km2 1 Sevan Lake basin 4750 847 0.056 2 Debed 3895 1203 0.309 3 Akhuryan 2784 391 0.140 4 Hrazdan 2565 733 0.286 5 Aghstev 2480 445 0.205 6 Vorotan 2476 725 0.293 7 Arpa 2306 764 0.331 8 Metzamor 2240 711 0.317 9 Kasakh 1480 329 0.222 10 Voghji 1341 502 0.374 11 Vedi 998 110 0.111 12 Azat 952 232 0.244 13 Tributaries of Kur 810 199 0.106 river 14 Meghri 664 166 0.250
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