Epress.am News from Armenia
The opposition speaks about (the threat of) emigration but, in fact, is against providing water to villagers to keep them (in the country), said Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) MP Vardan Ayvazyan (pictured) during the debate in parliament today on a government proposal that would increase by 40% the amount of water drained annually from Lake Sevan.
"[If] I'm stealing, cut off my hand — why are you cutting off villagers' water? Suddenly you all became environmental advocates. Man is also part of nature. From which reservoir are you going to give water to the villagers?" he asked.
After Ayvazyan spoke, Armenian National Congress (HAK) MP Nikol Pashinyan said it was the government that cut off the villagers' water, since it allowed the ruthless consumption of water in the Ararat valley — for fish farming.
"Fish farming companies in an uncontrolled manner have opened wells, poured the water into their fish farms, sold the fish, made profit. They poured the water into the river using drainage. As a result, 8,000 hectares are on the verge of desertification," he said.
The opposition MP remarked that well-known political figures have considerable weight in fish production — Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, and MPs Samvel Aleksanyan and Vardan Ayvazyan himself.
"Is Vardan Ayvazyan concerned about the villagers or his business?" remarked Pashinyan.
The non-ruling coalition parties, as well as several environmental activists and concerned citizens are opposed to the proposal to increase the volume drained from Lake Sevan. Today, a group of them protested outside parliament, urging MPs not to adopt the bill.