The condition of Lake Sevan and the depressing subsurface water table in Ararat Valley are the key environmental problems for Armenia, Karine Danielyan, Head of the
Association For Sustainable Human Development, said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The expert recalled that in early 2014 a 3cm negative balance was fixed in the lake. The situation even deteriorated within a year: as of 1 Dec 2014, the negative balance was 7cm.
Danielyan said that earlier the water rise in Lake Sevan had a positive effect on the water quality. Now the lake self-purification processes may turn around. So, the constantly changing level of the Sevan may be very dangerous for the lake.
As regards Ararat Valley, the subsurface water table dropped by several meters because fish farms received permits for water utilization. To stabilize the situation, the state started closing the illegal artesian wells in 2013. In addition, the maximum water release from Lake Sevan has been increased this year.
Danielyan pointed out that the situation in Ararat Valley needs to be stabilized. Otherwise, the risks of desertification will grow.
Earlier Levon Azizyan, representative of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations, said that in late 2014 the negative balance in Lake Sevan would be 9-12cm. In different years the water level in the Sevan rose by an average of 45cm during the spring flood. For instance, in 2013 the water level rose by 40cm. This year, however, he level rose by 25cm only.