Sevan can be a disaster
NGOs and activists from social internet networks decided to join and to declare a new S.O.S. Sevan campaign. On 20 September the first and foremost measures to be taken to save Lake Sevan were discussed at the Aarhus Center in Yerevan. The situation of the lake was determined as highly critical. "I can declare we don't have "lake Sevan" freshwater reservoir any longer. If somebody wants to drink this water, let them try and we'll see what will happen to them," said Gagik Sukhudyan, who held the position of "Sevan" National Park Director from 1981 to 1992. Under him, even in the late 70's, when logging process in Sevan acquired threatening nature, such pollution was not observed.
The main threats for the lake are as follows:
- change in water composition,
- fish extinction,
- lake pollution with garbage, sewage and industrial wastes,
- illegal operation of mining companies - GeoProMining Gold, Gegamet Plus, Mika Cement which violates Article 10 of RA Law "On Lake Sevan".
- absence of control ,
- imitation activities of official bodies and improper waste of funds - budget, grant and loan (particularly, the loan allotted by the World Bank in the amount of 16 million USD for "Reducing Poverty and Preserving Lake Sevan Ecosystem" program) designed to preserved Lake Sevan Ecosystem.
The main reason for concern is that neither Nature Protection Ministry as represented by "Sevan" National Park, nor Urban Development, Territorial Administration, Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture Ministries, nor any committees and councils put any efforts to save the lake.
The laws are violated and nobody bears responsibility for that. There is certain impression that top officials consider Sevan as a source for getting profit.
The discussion participants worked out an action plan and decided to call on everybody who is not indifferent to the fate of Sevan.
There is no Armenia without Sevan. Let's join and not allow a group of people to grab and to leave to our next generation a toxic apple instead of 34 billion freshwater.
