Armenian government resolute to address Lake Sevan’s problems
06.08.2018,
16:17
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting today that looked into what could be done to effectively address irrigation related problems, the government press service reported.
YEREVAN, August 6. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting today that looked into what could be done to effectively address irrigation related problems, the government press service reported. It quoted Pashinyan as saying that the current state of Lake Sevan ‘compels us to stop treating the lake as a container of water.’
"Unfortunately, treating Sevan as a container of water has been the government’s policy for many years, and today we see its consequences. We must break this closed and undesirable chain," the prime minister said.
The prime minister was informed about the level of water in the lake, the volume of water necessary for ensuring an effective irrigation season, as well as about possible measures for replenishment of water losses and the status of water pumping stations in the villages of Masis and Ranchpar.
An interested exchange of views took place on these issues and various proposals were presented to solve irrigation problems, the government said.
The prime minister and responsible officials looked also into what should be done to cut water losses from irrigation systems, to effectively monitor the operation of hydropower plants, as well as to address the emerging environmental problems.
Pashinyan was said to have ordered formation of a task force, to be led by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, to discuss the issue of providing farms with the necessary quantity of irrigation water as soon as possible and submit relevant proposals.
"It is necessary to study the situation and find solutions to the problem without release of water from Lake Sevan. The task should be solved as efficiently and efficiently as possible," Pashinyan said, recalling the need to develop a drip irrigation system for the country.
Lake Sevan is the main source of drinking water in the region, one of the largest high-mountain lakes in Europe and Asia, located in the heart of the Armenian upland at an altitude of 1914 meters. A single river originates from the lake - the Hrazdan River (the Araks tributary), with 28 rivers flowing into it. By 2030, the lake level is to rise to 1,903.5 meters. -0-
"Unfortunately, treating Sevan as a container of water has been the government’s policy for many years, and today we see its consequences. We must break this closed and undesirable chain," the prime minister said.
The prime minister was informed about the level of water in the lake, the volume of water necessary for ensuring an effective irrigation season, as well as about possible measures for replenishment of water losses and the status of water pumping stations in the villages of Masis and Ranchpar.
An interested exchange of views took place on these issues and various proposals were presented to solve irrigation problems, the government said.
The prime minister and responsible officials looked also into what should be done to cut water losses from irrigation systems, to effectively monitor the operation of hydropower plants, as well as to address the emerging environmental problems.
Pashinyan was said to have ordered formation of a task force, to be led by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, to discuss the issue of providing farms with the necessary quantity of irrigation water as soon as possible and submit relevant proposals.
"It is necessary to study the situation and find solutions to the problem without release of water from Lake Sevan. The task should be solved as efficiently and efficiently as possible," Pashinyan said, recalling the need to develop a drip irrigation system for the country.
Lake Sevan is the main source of drinking water in the region, one of the largest high-mountain lakes in Europe and Asia, located in the heart of the Armenian upland at an altitude of 1914 meters. A single river originates from the lake - the Hrazdan River (the Araks tributary), with 28 rivers flowing into it. By 2030, the lake level is to rise to 1,903.5 meters. -0-
