Epress.am News from Armenia
An open letter to Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia (RA) Hovik Abrahamyan on programs that pose a threat to Lake Sevan gathered 1,233 signatures over a few days, reports Ecolur.org [AM].
The EcoLur Network notes that the petition is still underway and recalls that the RA Government has submitted to parliament for approval a draft law to make amendments [AM] to the RA Law on Approving Annual and Integrated Programs of Measures on the Recovery, Preservation, Reproduction, and Exploitation of Lake Sevan's Ecosystem [AM], with which drainage from Lake Sevan will increase by 40% over 5 years. Environmentalists and concerned citizens state in the letter that the level of the lake will lower and the water will stagnate.
The letter, in particular reads:
"Former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan resigned, signing and imposing on the entire nation two decisions that put Lake Sevan under threat of extinction. The first [is] to make amendments to the RA Law on Approving Annual and Integrated Programs of Measures for the Recovery, Preservation, Reproduction, and Exploitation of Lake Sevan's Ecosystem, according to which the annual limit on water drainage from Lake Sevan instead of the previous 170 million cubic meters could reach up to 240 million cubic meters over a period of 5 years. The second is the integrated program to develop pisciculture and restore the supply of trout in Lake Sevan, which involves growing 50,000 tons of fish by artificial feed in net pens until 2023.
"The public is against these decisions, first of all pointing to [the fact that] if these programs are implemented, we will lose a strategic reserve of fresh water (37 billion cubic meters); we will lose other water sources, the existence of which is ensured by the high water level of Lake Sevan.
"If these programs are implemented, the residents of Gegharkunik marz [province] will be in a more difficult situation. [Lake] Sevan is the only source of income for the people of this region. People have come and live here for the water and fish.
"Both society and the residents of Gegharkunik, Ararat, and Armavir are convinced that the increase in drainage of Lake Sevan does not pursue the interests of the state and the shortage of water reserves in Ararat valley is just an excuse to increase drainage from Lake Sevan, which actually is due to the personal interests of individuals.
"The government denies residents of Lake Sevan's coastal villages the provision of water from Lake Sevan for irrigation purposes, arguing that even one drop of water from [Lake] Sevan is worth [its weight in] gold, and as Armenians, the residents must understand that the water of Lake Sevan can't be touched.
"The comprehensive program to restore the supply of trout in Lake Sevan has neither environmental nor economic scientific bases; on the contrary, it threatens the quality and diversity of the water of Lake Sevan.
"Both programs are contrary to the RA Law on Lake Sevan.
"Given that Lake Sevan has vital significance, we appeal to you as newly appointed RA Prime Minister to cancel these programs and carry out independent external testing including international experts, for example, within the scope of the OSCE's ENVSEC initiative, with which the government actively cooperates.
"If the programs are not cancelled, then the residents of Gegharkunik marz and the public are ready to take active steps to save Lake Sevan."