Pipes Installed in Barn to Dump Manure Directly into River, Divers Warn

On July 30, the director of the Institute of Hydroecology and Ichthyology of the Academy of Sciences, Evelina Ghukasyan, informed reporters about alarming environmental issues.

“A few years ago, a massive number of crayfish infected with parasites died near these entrepreneurs, filling the rivers, particularly Karchaghbyur, with bags of dead crayfish. If they dump their sick animals in the river, they transport that disease to the lake, contributing to the destruction of other resources,” she explained, as reported by news.am.

Ghukasyan noted that pollution complicates any scientific research in the lake: “The coastal areas of the lake, especially a slightly marshy section, are excessively polluted with various household waste. You can find everything at the bottom of the lake. There are traps and nets on the lakebed; when you lower the equipment, it can get caught by a trap before even reaching the bottom, posing a risk of losing the instruments. When we try to bring the boat closer to the shoreline for research, all the shores are covered with various types of fishing nets. Recently, fishermen have realized that catch levels have dropped, the crayfish stock is nearly depleted, and the fish are scattered. Therefore, many fishing implements, especially when slightly damaged, are left in the lake. These nets continue their dark work as animals keep getting trapped and dying in them.”

She also mentioned that there is a waste management issue both in Armenia and Gegharkunik: “Starting with the rivers, which have become not only sewage lines but also surface flows transporting garbage. The fish species that were once abundant are now found in large accumulations under the bridge of that river, with fish entrails everywhere.”

Stepan Kojoyan, founder of the Armenian Center for Underwater Research and Diving (ACURD), also reported that the Gavarraget River is in a terrible state, containing various types of pollution: “There are garbage bags, animal skins in the water, auto parts, household items, manure, and pipes have been installed in barns for direct dumping into the river. The water being dumped into the river is black.”

He concluded by mentioning a river in the region that has both fish and clean water: “The villagers have attached a sign that reads, ‘Do not pollute the lake,’ with a fine of 50,000 dram.”