OSCE-supported environmental centre organizes discussion on problems of Armenian lake
GAVAR, Armenia, 28 June 2007 - The problems facing Lake Sevan, Armenia's main source of water, were discussed today at the public environmental information centre in Gavar, capital of Gegharkunik province. The centre was recently opened with support from the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
Lake Sevan needs special attention to prevent evaporation and to preserve biodiversity. The Government has taken measures in recent years to raise the water level, but concerns remain regarding rehabilitation of Sevan ecosystem, in particular the endangered species of Sevan trout. The local population relies on fish from the lake as a major source of food and income, therefore alternative income generation should be found in order for efforts to restore the lake's fauna to succeed.
"This discussion shows what role this new centre can play to better address the serious environmental issues in this region," said Jeanette Kloetzer, Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "The OSCE Office will continue to support activities of the Centre."
The new Aarhus Centre - named after the Aarhus Convention, which gives the public the right to access information, justice and to participate in decision making on environmental issues - aims to raise awareness about and encourage action to resolve environmental problems in the region.
The Aarhus Centre serves as a forum for the Government, local administration, civil society, community and international organizations to unite their efforts in improving the environmental situation of the region.
Nver Poghosyan, Governor of the Gegharkunik province, welcomed the initiative of the OSCE Office and expressed readiness for further co-operation in environmental and economic fields.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan opened the Aarhus Centre in Gavar following a request by the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection and the local regional government. The Centre is the 7th of its kind in Armenia.