1 / 4

On September 25, during the meeting the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment touched upon the problems of the industrial fishery in Lake Sevan and the issues on alternative fuel in the forest zone villages.

The RA Deputy Minister of Environment Vardan Melikyan, the RA Deputy Territorial and Infrastructures Karen Isakhanyan, the Deputy Head of the Inspectorate for Nature Protection and Mineral Resources Igor Sargsyan, the Head of Biodiversity and Forest Policy Department Artur Petrosyan, the Director of HayAntar/ArmForest SNCO Vahe Matsakyan, the experts of the sphere and the community inhabitants took part in the discussion.

Lake Sevan of economic and ecological exclusive significance with its unique and rich flora and fauna has an important place in the biodiversity system of the republic.

Talking about the problems of the development of the industrial fishery and preventing the illegal fishing, the Committee Chair Varazdat Karapetyan also emphasized the issue of the marine reserve restoration.

The participants of the discussion referred to the fishermen’s working conditions, the problems of licensing the boats designed for fishing, re-equipment with relevant technique and seafood supply chain management.

The RA Deputy Minister of Environment Vardan Melikyan highlighted the re-assessment of Lake Sevan reserves and monitoring.

Speaking about the alternative fuel, the participants have noted that the best means of fight against deforestation is perhaps, the provision of alternative fuels. At present the issue of importing and subsidization of coal and briquette by the state is under debate.