National Parks
The biogeographical situation of the country gives it a wide variety of ecosystems: semi-deserts, forests, alpine meadows, tundra, wetlands. The South Caucasus region is home to biodiversity hot spots. The country has 3 zapovedniks (integral nature reserves), 27 zakazniks or protected areas, and 4 national parks.
Dilidjan National Park: located in the north of the country, it is home to remarkable forest ecosystems (beeches, oaks, yews, linden trees, etc.) and mountain lakes. There is a varied birdlife, including the Caucasian Grouse, and many mammals. Floral diversity is also high, including rare and endangered species.
Sevan National Park : protects the Lake Sevan region in the east of the country. The second navigable lake in the world by its altitude, at 1,900 metres, classified as a RAMSAR (remarkable wetland), it is also the habitat of many plant and animal species. Its beautiful landscapes have seduced generations of artists, including the writer Maxime Gorki, who evokes "a piece of sky that would have fallen to earth among the mountains". It also houses a research centre.
Lake Arpi National Park: located in the northwest of the country, in a mountainous area, it protects the ecosystems of the Akhurian River, Lake Arpi and Lake Ardenis. The biodiversity is remarkable, with more than 600 species of plants, as well as an important avifauna, ichthyofauna and herpetofauna.
Arewik National Park : located in the south of the territory, it aims to preserve the biome of the Meghri River. It shelters various ecosystems (forests, steppes, prairies, semi-desert) associated with remarkable and threatened species, such as mammals (Persian Panther, Brown Bear, Spotted Hyena), invertebrates, and a vast diversity of plants.
The ecological disaster of Lake Sevan
The exploitation of Lake Sevan is the result of irrigated agriculture and an energy strategy aimed at independence from imported fossil fuels. It is one of the resources, if not the most precious, of Armenia: the country's largest reservoir of fresh water, a fishing reserve, but also a resort. Intensive irrigation and the construction of hydroelectric power plants have resulted in the lake's partial drying up. The "inland sea" also suffers from pollution from wastewater, particularly domestic (hotels, restaurants) and agricultural. Eutrophication phenomena have also been observed as well as the appearance of green algae due to the presence of cyanobacteria. Energy shortages during the conflict phases led to the shutdown of several wastewater treatment plants, causing untreated water to be discharged directly into the lake. Pollution leads to health risks, but also to a loss of biodiversity (reduction of the "ischkhan" trout population). Measures were envisaged to raise the level of the lake, such as the collection of water from the Arpa River via a diversion tunnel. This structure, damaged by an earthquake, was never put into service.
The fight against the Teghout copper mine
The exploitation of minerals is indicative of conflicts of interest and the stranglehold of the country's oligarchy and foreign investors. Faced with this situation, inhabitants and activists are tenaciously committed to preserving the environment and the health of the population. Their struggle has been rewarded by the abandonment of the Teghout copper mine project in the north of the country. The project was a joint venture between an Armenian mining company, a Russian bank, a Danish export credit agency and a Danish pension fund. In 2013, a group of citizens denounced the environmental and health impacts of the project in a substantiated report to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the credit agency (destruction of natural environments, deforestation, pollution of rivers making agricultural land unfit for cultivation, expropriation). The dam built to retain the waste from the mine is not designed to withstand earthquakes and threatens the town of Chnog. Finally, after media campaigns, the Danish companies withdrew from the project and the mine was closed.
Another controversial project: the Amulsar gold mine
The Almusar mountain, in the south-east of the country, has gold deposits, but also a more precious resource. The site contains the country's main freshwater reserves, including the Ketchut reservoir, which is directly connected to Lake Sevan. Lydian, a company registered in Jersey, wants to exploit the mountain's gold. In 2012, the project began to arouse the ire of the inhabitants, who took turns blocking access to the mountain. Their will: to prevent a project with underestimated environmental and social consequences (destruction of the Jermuk spa, toxic emanations, expropriations, threat to the country's drinking water resources). Reports come to support the claims of the citizens. The case is ongoing.
Ongoing ecological challenges
The country is still largely dependent on Russia (natural gas imports). The blockades it has had to face have led to deforestation (firewood) and the continued operation of the Metsamor nuclear power plant. Built in 1969, it is considered one of the most risky plants in the world, due to its obsolescence and the risk of earthquakes. It is scheduled to be closed in 2026, pending the introduction of renewable energies and the renovation of buildings. The issue of water sanitation remains a major concern in the country, as does the fight against the waste of water resources. Waste management is also a concern. However, the ban on single-use plastic bags from January 1, 2022, which will be accompanied by awareness campaigns aimed at the use of alternatives, should be noted. On the agricultural side, it should be noted that since 2019 the country's first organic wine has been marketed.
