ARMENIAN LAWMAKERS AMEND LAW ON WATER DISCHARGE FROM LAKE SEVAN AT FINAL READING
ARKA
Aug 21, 2008
YEREVAN, August 21. /ARKA/. Armenian National Assembly has amended
at the first reading the Law on the Approval of Annual and Complex
Programs for Rehabilitation, Preservation, Reproduction and Use of
Lake Sevan’s ecosystem, providing for a considerable increase of
water discharge from the lake.
Water discharge from the Sevan is planned to increase from 240mln
cubic meters to 360mln cubic meters
Due to low water flow this year, the two large water storage basins
of the lake were not filled to a necessary level, said Andranik
Andreasyan, head of the RA State Water Committee. Water deficiency
in both basins was about 100mln cubic meters this year.
"The Sevan is one of the vitally important water sources it its use
cannot be an end in itself," Andreasyan added.
He said the irrigation water reserves will last several days and the
Sevan’s discharged water will help the country get a heavy harvest
this fall.
A number of MPs expressed concern over the new law. Stepan Safaryan,
member to the Zharangutyun (Heritage) opposition party, said they
do not want to be on the horns of a dilemma, "choosing between
irrigation and preservation of the lake". The MP called on to find
another solution to the problem.
Ecologists say the increase in the water discharge of the Sevan may
make=2 0the area’s ecosystem highly vulnerable. Andreasyan said RA
President plans to set up a commission to settle the Sevan issue.
Lake Sevan’s level rose 0.41 meters to 1,899.22 meters year-on-year
as of August 5.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
