The Amount Exceeding 150,000 AMD Will Be Considered Significant Damage for Illegal Fishing or Extraction of Pike

The Permanent Commission on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection of the National Assembly discussed the revised package of legislative drafts on amendments and changes to the RA Water Code, the Administrative Offenses Code, and the Criminal Code on March 13. The revisions were presented by Deputy Minister of Environment Tigran Gabrielian.

According to reports, the adoption of these drafts is expected to prevent illegal water use from underground water resources, including the drilling of wells or reopening of dissolved or inactive boreholes and violations related to the conditions set in water usage permits.

Differentiated administrative and criminal responsibility will be applied for illegal water use from surface and underground water resources, with the aim of maximizing the conservation of underground water resources.

The revised legislative package is anticipated to improve the ecological balance of Lake Sevan, ensure the preservation of biodiversity in the lake and its catchment area ecosystems, and promote the sustainable use of biological resources, as well as the maintenance of a stable pike population for industrial fishing activities. In particular, any illegal fishing or extraction of the pike fish species exceeding an amount of 150,000 AMD will be considered significant damage.

During the discussion, commission members expressed concern over water loss and presented suggestions aimed at the conservation of water resources. The commission has provided a positive conclusion on the legislative package.