MANAGEMENT OF ZANGEZOUR BIOSPHERIC COMPLEX ESTABLISHED FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF SPAS IN SYUNIK REMAINS UNSOLVED
14:25 April 16, 2015
EcoLur
The the problem with the management of “Zangezour” Biospheric Comples
established for the effectiveness of the management of specially
protected areas of nature in Syunik Region, Armenia, remain unsolved.
The only biospheric complex in Armenia was established in 2013,
which included specially protected areas of nature with different
conservation regimes – “Shikahogh” state reserve, “Arevik” National
Park, “Pine Park”, “Zangezour”, “Khoustoup”, “Boghaqar” and “Sev Litch”
state reserve.
One of the main reasons for establishing a biospheric complex is
funding. German KfW Bank expressed its willingness to provide 8.2
million Euros for the development of specially protected areas in
Syunik. Therefore, the Armenian Government reached a decision to
unite the specially protected areas in Syunik with the following
substantiation, “The need to adopt a decision is based on the fact
that different SNCOs run the specially protected areas available in
Syunik Region, which doesn’t enable to reduce maintenance costs and to
increase the conservation costs of specially protected areas. Thus,
it will be cost-efficient for all specially protected areas to be
run by a single SNCO.”
“When “Zangezour” biospheric complex was established, we had
many questions: whether or not it will be effective, how the new
organization will demonstrate itself both in management and technical
viewpoint? It’s the combination of various SPEs of different categories
and located in different parts of a rather complicated area,” said
Caucasus Nature Fund National Coordinator Arman Vermishyan in his
interview with EcoLur.
KfW bank hasn’t provided any funds after the establishment of
“Zangezour” biospheric complex till now. The complex gets financial
aid from the Caucasus Nature Fund. “Last year we concluded a contract
for one year with “Zangezour” biosphric complex to understand how we
will continue our work with them. Besides, taking into consideration
management issues, we funded a research and made proposals how to
amend the management system, as “Shikahogh”, “Arevik” National Park,
“Sev Litch” all have the same status, which caused questions from the
very beginning,” Arman Vermishyan said. One of CNF proposals was to
leave SPEs as individual SNCOs – legal entities with their relevant
conservation regimes. According to Arman Vermishyan, proposals were
officially filed to Nature Protection Ministry and discussions were
held, but there is no response so far.
“The Ministry is still in search. They also want to understand how to
continue, as the problems are very many. This year we have concluded
an agreement with “Zangezour” biospheric complex and will cover
the current expenses in the amount of around 135,000 Euros to see
what the results will be, as “Zangezour” biospheric complex is also
very important for us, but there are too many questions. We hope to
discuss these issues with the Ministry this year and to get solutions,”
concluded CNF National Coordinator.