ARMENIA IS TURNING INTO A DESERT

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82% of the territory of Armenia is in danger of desertification whereas 26% is in danger of severe desertification. This problem is pressing in all over the world today; about two billion people live in areas which are 41% deserified. In order to invite public attention to this problem this year the slogan of the International Day of Environmental Protection is “Do not desertify non-irrigated lands”.

“We call on the government and the civic society to combat jointly against desertification,” UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Consuelo Vidal said. Since 1998 Armenia has been realizing the national program against desertification and is to represent the 3rd report in June.

Predictions show that in 10 years’ time as a result of desertification the humidity of the soil will be reduced by 10%, the volumes of vegetable production will be reduced by 10% and the pastures will be reduced by 20%. «Armenia is taking serious steps in order to combat against desertification. The irrigation system is being reconstructed and forests are being planted», deputy Minister of Environmental Protection Simon Papyan said. Nevertheless, he added, «I don't want to convince you that everything is just fine in the ecology field».

The survey held by NGO «Ecological Balance» revealed that 55% of the population of the capital thinks that the ecological situation of the city has changed for the worse during the past 5 years. The people are mostly worried about the elimination of green areas. Head of the NGO Karine Danielyan said that Armenia has processed a good plan of combat against desertification, and we just have to put it into execution.

At the end of the press conference a film was shown about illegal forest cutting in Armenia.