Armenian Nature

[Federate]

Re: Armenian Nature

Lake Sevan: Problems and perspectives

In 2009 Sevan’s water level rose by 38 centimeters.

Netting all kinds of fish in Lake Sevan will be banned in the next 3-4 years in a bid to preserve species and maintain the ecology of the lake, said Vladimir Movsisyan, head of the president-affiliated commission on Lake Sevan problems, at a press conference Tuesday.

The chief problem of Lake Sevan, the largest body of fresh water in Armenia, was the sharp reduction of the water level, which began to lower in 1950 because of the excessive water drainage for energy needs and irrigation purposes. The lowering of the water level in the lake led to the disappearance of many fish species, swamping of near-shore areas with a real prospect of an environmental disaster. In the 1980s the drainage of water was considerably reduced and a 48-kilometer tunnel Arpa-Sevan was built to redirect some water from the river Arpa into Lake Sevan. Nevertheless, the current level of water in the lake is lower than its original one by 11 meters (the original level of the lake was 2,000 meters above sea.)

At the press conference Movsisyan summed up the results of the commission’s activities in 2009 (the commission was set up in late 2008). The commission head reported that in 2009 Lake Sevan’s water level rose by 38 centimeters and reached the level of 1,899 meters. The commission is looking to achieve the rise in the lake’s water level to 1,903 by 2031, i.e. seeing the water rise by 20 centimeters a year.

According to Movsisyan, a total of 1,697 buildings and structures located along the lakeshore will be submerged by the rising water if the rise targets are met. Only 481 of these buildings are legally authorized constructions and their owners will receive compensation. The construction of the rest of the buildings was not licensed and they will be pulled down with no compensation paid.

Besides, said Movsisyan, a 15-kilometer section of a highway passing by the lake will also be submerged by the rising water. A total of 4.3 billion drams ($11.4 million) are expected to be allocated for building that section of the highway in another place.

According to the commission head, a total of 600 hectares of lakeside forests were cleaned in 2009 and 307,000 endemic trout fries were let into the lake for water purification purposes.

http://armenianow.com/social/20571/sevan_water_rise

[Muhaha]

Re: Armenian Nature

Makes me happy to read there are those in the Government that actually care and want to improve such vital matters.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Armenian Nature

I guess people will have to resort to other resources of fishing...

Fishing - Armenia

Lake Sevan
The serene beauty of Lake Sevan is also the home to a rich and rare collection of fish. A famous species of trout called the Salmon Trout (Ishkhan) or "Prince Fish," is the signature fish of the lake. Changes in the ecosystem of the lake combined with extensive fishing had reduced numbers of this rare fish, but recent efforts in conservationism as well as the growth of the fish-farming industry have helped revitalize the Price fish. Other fish found in Sevan include trout, siga, crucian, carp and crayfish as well as koghak and bakhtak.

Echmiadzin Lakes
Echmiadzin town has many small lakes where you can catch karas and trout.

Spandaryan, Tolors and Shamb Reservoirs
Spandaryan, Tolors and Shamb Reservoirs are the swimming grounds of similar types of fish, including beghlu, karas, carp, and rainbow trout. In the rivers' streams and tributaries one can come across brown trout and carp.

Hrazdan River
In the Hrazdan River karas and crayfish are plentiful.

Araks River
The Araks River is the home to many species of fish including sezan, loko (a kind of cat fish), tolstolobik, karas, tarap, and karmrakhait.

Alagyaz Lake
Perched near the top of Aragats Mountain, at a dizzying height of 3200 meters is the bucolic and pastoral Stone Lake (Alagyaz Lake). It is truly an extraordinary place for fishing, given the natural wonder of the idyllic surroundings.

Mantash Reservoir
The Mantash Reservoir, situated in Shirak Region is one of the most beautiful places in Armenia. Containing over 8 million cubic meters of water at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level, the reservoir is a favorite destination for fishermen determined to catch the famed Alabalagh Trout abounding in these chilly waters.

Jrapi Reservoir
The Jrapi Reservoir is located near the scenic Akhuryan Reservoir (also known as "Turki Lich") through which the Armenian-Turkish border runs. Though much of the reservoir is off-limits to the public, there are adjacent waterways conducive to swimming and fishing. A famous 11th Century Caravansaray and an old church were relocated to a hill overlooking Jrapi when the reservoir was built, making for an attractive locale for hikers and picnickers alike. The ancient Tignis monastery and fortress are visible across the border in Turkey, reminders of Armenia's past and beacons of hope for its future.


Hunting - Armenia

As documented on the millennia-old rock carvings at Ughtasar and Jermajur, hunting, whether for food or sport, has had an extensive history in Armenia. The remarkable rock carvings found at several sites in Syunik are based on scenes referring to social life and rituals and depict single or collective hunting scenes of goats, deer, boars and other animals.

In recorded history, the Khosrov Reserve, located just south of Yerevan, has been mentioned as a hunting ground for the aristocracy. Here, animals were brought from places near and far and bread to be hunted for the recreation of the nobles.

Today, the ancient sport of hunting is alive and prospering in many parts of Armenia. Locals and visitors alike can hunt a wide variety of game, particularly hare, ducks, quails and other birds. Among the many regions where hunting thrives, Ijevan, Meghri, Yeghegnadzor, and Lake Arpi can be singled out.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Armenian Nature

No, it's ok. What I was trying to express was what you just said, feel the roll of the hunted. I can't understand why this killing continues to happen, what do they thing animals don't fear? don't feel pain? We are the only specie who kills for pleasure, long ago we evolved from the necessity of killing to survive, it's not fair. At the end we will be our own murders if we continue to mistreat mother nature as we do.

There is nothing wrong with hunting as long as people practice preserving and breeding of animals as well. The problem is everyone seems to want to consume and nobody allows time or effort for provision/preservation for future generations.

[Haykakan]

Re: Armenian Nature

I would love to fish some of those places. I can only imagine what ice fishing lake sevan would be like in the shadows of the monutains.

[Federate]

Re: Armenian Nature

How low can we go with our nature? Apparently, low enough to smash lamps and cut the trees of Tsitsernakaberd park. Atrocious, these people should be dealt with an iron fist.
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Smashed Lamps and Cut Down Trees at Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial


“I saw the smashed street lamps. When I looked hard, I realized that next to each smashed street lamp there are stumps of newly cut down trees.” This alert was raised by Tigran Mangasaryan, the publisher of National Geographic Traveler in Armenia.

He spends each morning in Tsitsernakaberd with his friends. For the past few days he paid attention to the smashed lamps along the street leading to the Genocide Memorial. “I saw dozens of stumps along the road and a small fire trampled under feet, nothing else, neither branches, nor chips, nor sawdust, nothing. I got the impression that somebody cut down the trees, took them away under cloud of night without leaving any traces. That’s why all the lamps are smashed,” Tigran Mangasaryan said.

The photos taken by Tigran Mangasaryan distinctly display all the traces of this crime. This material is simultaneously an alert for the RoA Ministry of Nature Protection . We think that the Ministry of Nature Protection represented by the State Environmental Inspectorate must examine this case and take proper measures.

http://hetq.am/en/ecology/ekolur-5/

[Anoush]

Re: Armenian Nature

Unfortunately we can sit here and say that the people are wrong in doing these things and they shouldn't do it; but I say the real people who have to be dealt with severely are both the government and the oligarchs. Why? Because they don't act democratically, they act like robbers and thieves and leave the majority of the people poor and desolate. So when the winter comes and some poor man doesn't have enough fire or food or both for his family or himself; he does these things unfortunately to keep himself and his family warm. So you see, the real bad ones are both the government and the oligarchs (they are the robbers, the thieves and the callous selfish ones) that continue the bad trend of corruption unpunished, because they are stealing the bread from the mouths of the people. Instead, they should stop corruption, start acting with care with their brothers by dividing their wealth and millions with the people for a change. After all, the people have to live too.

[Haykakan]

Armenias Environment

I remember when this project firs started and am very happy to see it succeed and continue.

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/03/trees-restore-hope-to-armenia.html

[Federate]

Re: Armenias Environment

I remember when this project firs started and am very happy to see it succeed and continue.
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/...o-armenia.html

Beautiful! I recommend watching the video available on that link.

[ashot24]

Re: Armenias Environment

I remember when this project firs started and am very happy to see it succeed and continue.
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/...o-armenia.html

Indeed beautiful, it gives hope for a better future, and that's what we need, hope, and what can be more encouraging than seen green in your land once again.