All forests are owned by the Republic and managed by an agency called Hayantar, on the basis of ten year plans with annual tasking breakdowns. Hayantar retains income from its operations and is provided with an operational budget allcoation from the national government. It manages 26 vertically integrated regional forestry enterprises, two protected reservations, a nursery, a machine factory, an amelioration station, a forest protection station, a research station and a maintenance shop.

Before the blockade, approximately 60,000 m3 of timber were harvested in Armenia each year, of which about 8,000 were considered commercial cuttings, as harvest which satisfies only 10-14% of Armenian internal needs. Since the country produces a very high quality of beech and oak hardwood, foreign exchange could be earned through forest related products - in spite of the low self sufficiency rate - if internal needs were satisfied with lower quality lumber leaving the possibility to use higher quality wood for production of export goods.

Hayantar has undertaken major forestation in several areas, mostly with the objetive of increasing erosion control."

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Armenian State Forest Service "Hayantar" within the Ministry of Environmnent and Underground Resources.

2. Capacity-Building/Technology Issues: "Hayantar" is affected by problems of both inappropriate structure and weak capacity. In the Soviet era, various core functions of a national forest service were carried out centrally in Moscow through subsidiary branch offices in each of the Caucasian republics.

With the advent of independence, the same system is now carried out on a national basis in Armenia. "Hayantar" does not yet have its own capacity to carry out all these fuctions; for example, policy development, coordination, planning and budgeting, forest management and forest resource assessment.

In regard to the structure of "Hayantar", it remains vertically integrated with the forest enterprises according to the soviet model. Proposals for institutional capacity building need to be made in the context of institutional weaknesses and possible reforms.

International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification

Particularly in Africa

Convention : No information

The latest report to the Secretariat of the Convention was prepared in 19--.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The problem of desertification and the organization of measures to combat it are extremely urgent in Armenia, which is located in an arid area. One half of the territory of the Republic is subject to mudslides, which aggravate the processes of desertification. The processes of defluction and landslides are also developed. The anthropogenic impact on the landscape causes intensified soil erosion and salination. While the Republic has a limited amount of land, a solid outflow from rivers outside its frontiers removes more than 4 million tons of fine soil

and solutes. As a result of all this, every year thousands of hectares of arable land become unusable and forest and grazing areas are reduced. The energy crisis of the past four years has aggravated the situation, provoking intensive unregulated clearance of forests which served to protect the soil and other functions, since Armenia's forests are concentrated mainly on steep slopes. The energy crisis also had an adverse effect on the high mountain freshwater Lake Sevan, from which large volumes of water have been withdrawn for power needs. The water level in Lake Sevan has fallen catastrophically and, unless urgent measures are taken, the unique nature of the landscape, which plays such a significant climate forcing role in the region and which supplies the many springs located in a very dry part of the Republic, may be destroyed.

Armenia is a typical mountain country with the characteristics of an arid mountain ecosystem. Over 90 per cent of Armenia's territory is over 1000 metres above sea level. Because of their diverse geological structure, mountain systems are very jagged and present a diverse landscape. Extreme environmental landscape indicators and an intensive anthropogenic impact have led to the serious degradation of the natural biodiversity of mountain systems. In certain regions, changes which have taken place are irreversible. On account of the dominant geo-ecological significance of the Republic's mountain systems in the region for the conservation of their landscapes and biodiversity, the participation of the countries of the Kur-Araks basin of the Caucasus region is required. Consequently, complex mechanisms must be developed to protect the Caucasus region and establish new transboundary protected regions. The priority areas for action must be the following:

1. The study, forecasting and implementation of measures to provide protection against exogenous geological processes (landslides, mudslides, avalanches and other natural disasters);

2. The prevention of soil erosion;

3. The protection of the grazing ecosystems;

4. The protection of the mountain forest ecosystems;

5. The setting of limits to anthropogenic impact from the various uses of the natural environment (agricultural, mining, recreational, industrial, etc.).

The following are the measures that could promote the development of the sector:

- continuation and completion of privatisation, to include service and storage organisations;

- raising the efficiency and effectiveness of the infrastructure, including the rehabilitation and improvement of the irrigation system, introduction of banking services, and the implementation of an insurance system;

- completing the implementation of the tax system and improvements in taxation mechanisms, as well as the establishment of an insurance system;

- provision of the necessary legislative framework for the implementation of pricing policy;

- organisation of the effective seed varieties and animal breeds.

Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention was signed in 1992 and ratified in 1993. No report on the Convention has been submitted. CITES Convention. Armenia is not a party to the Convention.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

The relatively small territory of the Republic of Armenia (29,965 sq.km.) is characterized by rich biological diversity. Seventy-six species of mammals, 304 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians and 24 species of fish inhabit Armenia. There is also a rich and distinctive flora replete with species (approximately 3,200), which results from the complexity of the terrain and climate of Armenia and from its location at the juncture of completely diverse provinces of flora. The forestry resources cover 459,900 hectares. The average density of the forests is 0.54. Armenia's Red Book includes 99 species of animals and 387 species of plants, of which approximately 200 are endemic or relicts. The data cited, however, do not reflect the current real picture since Armenia's flora has suffered an irreplaceable loss on account of the severe energy crisis and the massive deforestation, and this has affected the quantity and quality of the fauna. Migration routes and the ecological balance of animal habitats have been destroyed. The protection of animal and plant life in Armenia is in a critical situation. Because of the lack of financial resources, no work is being done on the establishment of an inventory of animal and plant life. The protection of biological resources has become particularly difficult on account of the privatization of land resources in the Republic, the unauthorized harvesting of medicinal and food crops and the relentless extermination of ornamental plant species. In the opinion of botanical experts, approximately 50 species of plants not included in Armenia's Red Book are now on the verge of extinction.

Five State nature reserves in the Republic, as well as a National Park, the Sevan nature reserve complex and 22 reserves for particular species, have the status of specially protected territories. The total area of the nature reserves is 65,000 hectares (2.2 per cent of the territory of the Republic) and the total area of the reserves for particular species is 94,000 hectares (3.1 per cent of the territory of the Republic).

1. Decision-Making Structure: The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia.

Questions relating to biological diversity are regulated by the following environmental legislation: 1. Fundamentals of legislation on environmental protection of the Republic of Armenia. 2. Act on particular sites. 3. Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia. Further legislation is being prepared.

2. Capacity-building/technology issues: The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources has established working groups to develop new environmental legislation. A working group forms part of the national programme on environmental safety. Under the Convention on Biological Diversity, conferences are being held with the participation of various experts.

3. Major groups: No information

4. Finance: In order to implement the biological diversity programmes in Armenia, 10-15 million United States dollars are required. A number of projects have been proposed to international funds to obtain financing.

5. Regional/international cooperation: The Republic is participating in international meetings in the context of the Convention and is cooperating within the Inter-State Environmental Council (CIS).

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

No information

Water supply systems are operated mainly by pumps. Due to current energy crisis their operation is essentially inadequate. Individual projects are prepared to turn the systems into gravitation supply. Urban sewage is basically treated at biological plants. Due to inadequate power supply a number of crucial units at the plants became obsolete, i.e. pumping plants, aeration systems.

The water code of the Republic is approved as the main law for water use and water protection.

The annual national social and economic development programme includes a chapter for water resources rational use and protection.

One of the Armenian priorities concerning freshwater resources is to cover all activities in society, in particular land use, agriculture, forestry, industry and energy generation, in such a manner as to introduce overall sustainable use of water resources.

Integrated water resources management plans are drawn up for all the areas where water quality problems or conflicts between use and protection occur. Given water scarcity in the country, therefore, water resource use issues are closely connected to water protection and are solved in a complex manner.

Industry generated close on 800 min cubic meters of process and sanitary waste-water in 1994. Almost 50% is treated biologically but due to improper operation of the plants waste waters are treated mainly mechanically. 20% of all the waste water is treated biologically.

In addition, the environmental approaches for the countryside and for forestry, research projects concerning i.e. water conservation in agriculture and forestry have an impact on the quality of water resources. The state of water is under continuous monitoring so that the effects of water protection mesasures can be assessed.

One of the urgent problems related to protection of the quality and supply of freshwater as well as their effective use is the support of the Biological Balance of Lake Sevan. In this regard, a Program for Restoring the Biological Balance of Lake Sevan, funded by the World Bank, has been identified as a priority issue.

The Ministry, with the participation of a designated correspondent approved by UNDP and on the basis of the data bank of the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC), has devised a project entitled "Provisions relating to the utilization, import and export, and the transboundary movement of chemical and toxic chemical substances". The project has been submitted to the Government of the Republic of Armenia for approval.

1. Decision-making structure

The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia.

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Basel Convention: No information

The latest information was provided to the Basel Convention Secretariat in 19--.

Additional comments relevant to this chapter

Armenia is not yet joined to the Basel Convention, but the text of the Convention is studied now by our parliamentary experts for the purpose of its adoption.

In December 1995 the Government of the Republic of Armenia approved a resolution, adjusting import, export and transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes over the territory of Armenia. The resolution establihsed the order of the Supervision over transboundary movements.

After adoption of the Basel Convention Armenian party will regularly inform the Secretariat of Basel Convenion about issues, essential to parties, concerning generation, disposal and transportation of hazardous wastes.

The major aim of our Government in this field is to develop and ensure environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes in Armenia.

For the adoption of political and administrative decisions by the Ministry of Energy, projects in this area are being prepared with the agreement of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health and the local administrative authorities.

The Atomic Inspectorate of the Government of the Republic deals directly with matters relating to radioactive wastes.

Low-level radioactive wastes are stored at a special site and high-level radioactive wastes generated at the atomic power station are removed in accordance with the contract for the supply of radioactive fuel to Russia.

The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Health are responsible for the joint supervision and monitoring of background figures of radiation pollution and emissions into the air, water and soil.

At the present time, the population is periodically informed of the results of the monitoring of radioactive pollution and the background figures.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION: No information

A number of ecological and environmental research projects are being carried out, including projects relating to specific aspects of sustainable development. These research projects are being carried out with the participation of leading scientific centres of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, higher educational establishments, specialized administrative scientific organizations and scientific-production enterprises. Among the priorities for scientific research in the area of sustainable development and environmental protection, mention should be made of the restoration and conservation of the sustainability of the ecosystem of Lake Sevan, the improvement of the legal basis for the utilization and administration of natural resources, the development of economic mechanisms for the utilization of natural resources, the introduction of a system of continuing environmental education, and so on.

STEPS TAKEN TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, IMPROVE LONG-TERM SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT, BUILDING OF CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY:

Ecological research relating to environmental protection and sustainable development must be carried out in accordance with priorities and in stages which will ensure the establishment of mechanisms for sustainable development.

(a) Reorienting education towards sustainable development

The educational system and the legislative and normative basis for the provision of access to education are being reformed. A Government decree is being prepared on the introduction of a system of continuing environmental education in the Republic of Armenia. In 10 State higher educational establishments and 40 higher educational establishments in the private sector, new programmes on questions relating to development and environmental protection are being developed and organized. Education is being reoriented with the inclusion of the principles of the concept of sustainable development. An experimental textbook has been published for senior secondary school classes entitled "Principles governing the utilization of nature and environmental protection", which is fully oriented towards Agenda 21 and the principles of sustainable development. In several faculties at Erevan State University (ESU), courses are being taught on the global programme for sustainable development. Through the efforts of UNDP, ESU and the Association for the sustainable development of human society, a textbook has been published for higher educational establishments entitled "The Concept of Sustainable Development: Theory and Practice".

(b) Increasing public awareness

The competent departments of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, scientific centres, NGOs and the mass information media are involved in the process of environmental education. A national report on Armenia, environmental journals and materials on educational methods are published. Regional centres of environmental education have been opened in the districts of Gegarkunik and Armavir.

Erevan State University and the Association for the sustainable development of human society, with the cooperation of the Ministry of the Economy of the Republic of Armenia and UNDP, organized the first National Conference in the context of Rio + 5, on "The sustainable development of society and Armenia", in which Government organs, higher educational establishments, scientific research institutes and non-governmental organizations participated.

(c) Promoting training

Government departments and scientific and public organizations are active in promoting the implementation of continuing environmental education and the establishment of sustainable development mechanisms. These departments and organizations include: the Department of Science of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, Erevan State University, the Engineering University of Armenia, the Armenian Division of the International Environmental Academy, the non-governmental organizations "Byurakn" and "Sustainable Development", the Association "For the sustainable development of society", the Botanical Society, the Green Union and others.

FINANCING AND COST EVALUATION OF LABOUR ACTIVITIES: Environmental and sustainable development research are funded by Government organizations, national and international funds (for example, UNDP financed research on the transformation of the human development index (HDI) into the sustainable human development index (SHDI), research which was carried out by an interdepartmental group of experts). The evaluation of the cost of labour and the allocation of activities is being carried out in accordance with the priorities in that sphere.

No information