New Alerts Received from Gegharkunik: Taguhi Tovmasyan

MP Taguhi Tovmasyan from the 'I Have Honor' faction wrote:

“Two ministers have changed, a third is in office, yet the crucial issue for the residents of communities along the shores of Lake Sevan remains unresolved. Following new alerts received from Gegharkunik... Back in September 2019, during a Q&A session in the National Assembly with the Government, I raised an important issue regarding the property ownership certificates for the lands used for years by the residents of Lake Sevan's adjacent communities, specifically in Karchaghbyur, Tsovak, and Norakert. In response, the Minister of Environment, Erik Grigoryan, stated that a study had been conducted, but due to the lack of financial resources, the work could not be completed. Later, the minister assured me during a conversation that the issue would be resolved shortly.

About a year has passed since the minister's promise, but unfortunately, we did not see the expected solution. After the dismissal of Erik Grigoryan from his position as Minister of Environment, I sent another letter to the First Deputy Minister Vahe Jilavyan. I received a response from the newly appointed Minister Romanos Petrosyan stating that the relevant draft had been withdrawn from circulation. Furthermore, Minister Romanos Petrosyan mentioned that if the necessary financial resources were available and the community can carry out the necessary surveying work from its own funds, the issue would be presented to the Government for consideration in the defined manner.

Another two years passed, yet the problems raised by the residents of Gegharkunik remain unresolved. From the latest alert from Gegharkunik, I learned that people are upset and demand urgent solutions from the Government. Recently, I again officially addressed the Minister of Environment, Hakob Simidyan, outlining this whole process and directing relevant questions to the minister regarding the progress of the solution. I also suggested that the Government consider presenting the relevant draft for discussion, which the interested citizens of Gegharkunik have been waiting for years.

In response, Minister Hakob Simidyan informed me that there are numerous boundary discrepancies and problematic issues between the ‘Sevan’ National Park and the communities. To comprehensively address these, work has started on developing a management plan for the ‘Sevan’ National Park within the framework of the “Environmental Protection of Lake Sevan” (EU4Sevan) program. Currently, the technical assignment for the management plan has been formed, and the work is in progress. The issue of clarifying the borders of Karchaghbyur, Tsovak, and Norakert communities in Gegharkunik is also set to be considered within the development of the management plan.

Thus, during this period, two Ministers of Environment have changed, and now Minister Hakob Simidyan is in office, but at least throughout these nearly three years, the Government has not resolved this crucial issue for the people. I will continue to be persistent and take all necessary actions within my authority.”