In Just a Few Days, Environmental Damage Amounting to 293 Million Drams Calculated

The Environmental and Mining Inspection Body has reported 42 violations during inspections, visits, and administrative proceedings, resulting in calculated environmental damage totaling 293,072,781 AMD in 35 cases and administrative fines of 1,180,000 AMD in 11 cases.

In the area of plant protection, 29 violations were noted, leading to 28 cases calculated at 277,340,750 AMD in environmental damage, and fines of 300,000 AMD imposed in 3 cases.

In Lori, illegal logging was recorded in 4 cases (3 wild pears, 1 mountain ash, 4 hornbeam, and 1 elm), resulting in 405,000 AMD in environmental damage, while 2 cases of illegal wood transportation (0.3 cubic meters of bulk firewood) contributed 5,400 AMD in damages. A previously recorded case of illegal wood transportation resulted in a fine of 100,000 AMD.

In Tavush, illegal logging was recorded in 2 cases (1 hornbeam and 6 wild pears) leading to environmental damage of 1,701,000 AMD, and 14 cases of illegal wood transportation (47.15 cubic meters of firewood and 23.45 cubic meters of bulk firewood) accumulated 2,011,900 AMD in damage. A readjustment in a previous illegal wood transportation case accounted for another 23,800 AMD in environmental damage.

In Armavir, a previous case of illegal wood transportation was assessed at 108,000 AMD in environmental damage, with a fine of 100,000 AMD imposed. In Shirak, 1 case of illegal logging (3 birches) resulted in environmental damage of 33,000 AMD, alongside a 100,000 AMD fine. In Kotayk, a single case of illegal wood transportation (0.9 cubic meters of bulk firewood) led to 5,400 AMD in damage.

In Syunik, 1 illegal logging case (3,920 deciduous trees) amounted to 268,997,000 AMD in environmental damage, with a single inspection conducted. Another inspection previously at the “Syunik Forestry” branch of «Hayantar» State Non-Commercial Organization (86 stumps) accounted for 4,050,250 AMD in damages.

In the area of wildlife protection, 3 cases were noted, resulting in calculated environmental damage of 66,000 AMD in 2 cases and an administrative fine of 80,000 AMD in 1 case. In Gegharkunik, 2 illegal fishing cases (38 fish, 13.2 kg total weight) resulted in 66,000 AMD in damages, with a fine of 80,000 AMD imposed for previous unauthorized animal grazing.

In matters concerning air and water protection, waste disposal, land use, and preservation, 9 cases were recorded, with 5 accounting for environmental damage of 156,660,031 AMD and 5 receiving administrative fines totaling 600,000 AMD. In Shirak, an administrative fine of 50,000 AMD was imposed for gravel transport without a cover.

In Kotayk, a case of illegal water use resulted in a fine of 150,000 AMD. Previously recorded construction work in forest lands without the appropriate permit resulted in an additional calculated environmental damage of 2,253,000 AMD across 2 cases.

In Syunik, a previous case of sand transport received a fine of 50,000 AMD; in Lori, another case without water-use permit resulted in a fine of 300,000 AMD. In Aragatsotn, a previous incident concerning moving plant soil resulted in 50,000 AMD in calculated environmental damage and a matching fine. In Gegharkunik, a case involving the movement of the top soil layer was assessed at 1,879,891 AMD.

One inspection was conducted in Yerevan, revealing that LLC “Clean Iron Factory” caused environmental damage of 11,483,140 AMD, with a fine of 150,000 AMD imposed.

In terms of reporting deadlines for environmental taxes and user fees, a single violation recorded for failing to submit the necessary quarterly tax reports on time resulted in a 50,000 AMD fine. Three cases (amounting to 400,000 AMD in administrative fines) have been forwarded to the Ministry of Environment.

During the outlined period, 1,732,000 AMD was transferred to the state budget of Armenia.