ARMENIAN ECOLOGY MINISTER: LAKE GILI RECOVERY PROGRAM HAS FAILED

Yerevan, January 29. ArmInfo. The program for Lake Gili recovery has
failed because of the lack of financing and the reluctance of local
residents to cede their privatized land plots on the former bottom of
the lake, says Armenian Ecology Minister Vardan Ayvazyan.

At first, some residents agreed to cede their plots in exchange for
government reserve lands in other areas. The Government drafted a
program for irrigating the lands and even a program for developing
tourism in the recovered basis of Gili. However, $1mln provided by
Global Ecological Fund proved to be not enough for the whole project,
says Ayvazyan. However, he does not specify how much money has already
been spent on the project.

To remind, Lake Gili was drained in 1960s. 2 years ago the Government
started a program for its recovery in some 3-4 years. Relevant
memorandum was signed in Nov 2004 by UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP
Resident Representative in Armenia Lise Grande, Armenian Ecology
Minister Vardan Ayvazyan and Governor of Gegarkunik region Stepan
Barsegyan. The Government planned to fully restore the fauna of the
lake – once a home to over 240 species of birds, even flamingo.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress