Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Ministry of Environment to participate in the discussion of the activity report 2022 of the ministry.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Hambardzum Matevosyan, Head of the State Control Supervision Romanos Petrosyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Bagrat Badalyan, officials of the Prime Minister's Office, the leadership staff of the Ministry of Environment, other officials.

Minister of Environment Hakob Simidyan and the deputy ministers presented the programs and measures implemented by the ministry according to the sectoral directions.

First, the works carried out in the field of water resources management was referred to. In particular, it was reported that as a result of the works carried out during the reporting period, from 2024, a mandatory requirement to operate in fish farms with a closed recirculating aquaculture system will be introduced. Currently, about 20-25% of the more than 1,000 fish farms operate with a water return system. From 2024, a requirement for online data transfer, surface and underground water use, including calculation of ecological emissions, will be introduced. During 2022, 25 automatically controlled online water meter systems were installed and sealed.

It was noted that a study of the actual state of the underground water resources (deep well) of the Ararat Valley was carried out in 2020-2021, based on which the granting of new water use permits through new boreholes in the Ararat Valley, and also through existing boreholes for fish farming purposes, was prohibited this year, unless otherwise provided for by the water basin management plans.

Referring to the implementation of Armenia’s obligations in the field of climate, the officials noted that the long-term (until 2050) low-carbon development strategy of Armenia has been developed under the Paris Climate Accords.

In the field of atmospheric air protection, the drafts of the law "On Atmospheric Air Protection" and related laws were adopted by the National Assembly at first reading. In the near future, the modern norms of atmospheric air protection will be adopted. It was emphasized that the measures aimed at the promotion of electric vehicles are continuing. According to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia, the VAT exemption period for the import and/or sale of vehicles with an electric motor has been extended until January 1, 2024.

In the current year, the "Forestry policy, strategy and national action plan of the Republic of Armenia for 2023-2032" was developed, which is currently under discussion.

The bill banning the sale of plastic bags is under development. In this context, not only the ban of sale was highlighted, but also taking steps to ban their production and import to our country.

The officials in charge reported that about 18 types of permit documents are provided by the Ministry of Environment. In cooperation with the State Revenue Committee, the electronic system for issuing "Permit Documents" has been introduced and is available for the first time since July 25, 2022.

In the field of water resources management, during the reporting period, the design estimate documents for the liquidation and conservation of deep wells were reviewed. A tender has been announced for the implementation and technical control of the liquidation or conservation of deep wells.

The procurement process for the development of design estimate documents for the reclamation of 10 industrial landfills with the most negative impact on the environment has begun.

As part of the monitoring of polluted and degraded soils in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, field research works, soil sampling, and laboratory research were carried out by the employees of the Ministry.

"Zvartnots" Aviation Meteorological Center CJSC plans to install a lightning locator device at "Zvartnots" international airport. A new state-of-the-art meteorological station will also be installed at the "Shirak" airport on the runway.

Next, reference was made to the activities of SNPOs "Sevan", "Dilijan", "Arpi Lake" National Parks, "Reserve Complex", "Zangezur Biosphere Complex", "Khosrov Forest" State Reserve.

It was reported that the first batch of deer was released to the nature from the deer breeding center of "Dilijan" National Park. As a result, an animal considered extinct in nature has returned to its natural habitat.

Works continue within the framework of measures aimed at the solution of the problems of Lake Sevan. In particular, within their framework, measures are being implemented to prevent the flow of wastewater to the lake, to ensure alternative treatment of wastewater, to ensure regular garbage collection, to re-equip the monitoring system of Lake Sevan and to improve its capacity, to restore the ecosystem of Lake Sevan, and to develop a management plan for "Sevan" National Park.

The works also continued in the direction of regulation of industrial fishing in Lake Sevan. Starting from 2022, fish and crab stocks are estimated twice a year in Lake Sevan and its basin.

The final report will be submitted by December 15, which will be the basis for setting the commercial fishing quotas for the next year. It was reported that during the current year, 15,500 summer trouts and 163,000 Gegharkunik trouts were released into Lake Sevan.

Reference was also made to the course of forest restoration works. It was noted that during this year the works covered an area of 130 hectares.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the programs implemented by the Ministry of Environment in the above-mentioned directions and the need for their effective implementation. Nikol Pashinyan inquired about a number of programs and works. There was an exchange of ideas about the implemented and initiated activities according to the sectors, and further actions were discussed.

The Prime Minister noted the importance of consistent implementation of works towards the solution of the problems of Lake Sevan, and at the same time emphasized the need to introduce clear mechanisms regarding the activities of public beaches. Referring to the steps towards the restoration of forests, the Prime Minister instructed the officials to develop and present a clear road map, where the actions and their scales will be presented according to years. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the restoration of forests is of strategic importance for the government. The works carried out by the Ministry in the implementation of energy saving programs in residential buildings, improvement of the environmental impact assessment process and other directions were also highlighted, discussions on which will continue in the near future.