ARMENPRESS

NATURE PROTECTION PROGRAM LAUNCHED

YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: Nature protection
minister Aram Harutunian presented today a program
designed for creation of a special reserve zone in
Armenia’s northwestern part bordering Georgia and
Turkey.
The program, to be supported by German KfW bank and
WWF, costs 2.2 million euros and is supposed to last
three years.
Under this program the basin of Lake Arpi and
Akhurian River, situated in the Ashotsk mountains,
close to the borders with Turkey and Georgia in
northwestern Armenia will be turned into a national
park.
The first phase of this program was supposed to
kick off in 2002, but was delayed due to lack of
money.
Lake Arpi is a natural wetland of botanical
importance, although the water level has been raised
by an artificial dam. It supports several plant
species which are rare in Armenia. The lake is fed by
several small rivers, springs and melt-water, and
freezes over during the winter months.
Minister Harutunian said this program, developed by
German, Armenian and WWF experts is unique as the
German bank will for the first time fund a joint
nature protection program together with Armenian
government.
This program has several components and will
embrace some 20 settlements located in the area.
Similar programs are expected to be launched across
the border in Georgia and Turkey.
This specially protected area will help protect
ecosystems, habitats and rare, endemic and threatened
species and is expected also to give a boost to
tourism development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress