Cbd third National Report Armenia (English version)

Article 10 - Sustainable use of components of biological diversity

◊ On Article 10(a), has your country integrated consideration of the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into national decision-making?
No
No, but steps are being taken
Yes, in some relevant sectors (please provide details below)	X
Yes, in most relevant sectors (please provide details below)
Further information on integrating consideration of conservation and sustainable use of biological resources into national decision-making.
A comprehensive legislative framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use was developed in 2000-2005. During the decision-making process all stakeholder agencies are involved in solving of a relevant problem. A number of inter-agency advisory councils were established. In decision-making at national level the local authorities and in some cases even more broad public (scientists, students, NGOs) is involved. Prior to decision-making on the project proposals that impact environment, the environmental expertise in implemented and the proposals are being agreed with all relevant subdivisions of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia.

◊ On Article 10(b), has your country adopted measures relating to the use of biological resources that avoid or minimize adverse impacts on biological diversity?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures adopted relating to the use of biological resources that avoid or minimize adverse impacts on biological diversity.
Use of biological resources in Armenia is regulated by a number of Laws, Civil Code, Land Code, Forest Code, as well as a great number of by-laws and regulations. All those documents contain provisions on sustainable use of biological resources, as well as enforcement mechanisms for the cases of illegal and unsustainable use. Licensed hunting is one of the mechanisms of sustainable management of fauna resources. Assessment of the bioresources in a given ecosystem is implemented based on the scientific research. As a result the allowable quantities for hunting are identified. Licenses are issued based on those quantities. The license itself contains the allowable quantities, permitted tools for hunting, locations and other information. Such management puts hunting practices under the control.

◊ On Article 10(c), has your country put in place measures that protect and encourage customary use of biological resources that is compatible with conservation or sustainable use requirements?
No	X
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures that protect and encourage customary use of biological resources that is compatible with conservation or sustainable use requirements.
Traditional practices that have direct impact on biodiversity of natural ecosystems of Armenia include use of grasslands, pastures and forest resources, hunting and fishing. “National Action Plan to Combat Desertification” promotes traditional use of community pastures. Development and application of the community-based programs and regulatory mechanisms for wood waste utilization are intended in the framework of the Action plan for promoting resolution of the issues Related to illegal forest logging. “Strategy for Sustainable Development of Agriculture” contains a number of incentive measures for development of fishery facilities. Amateur fishing has been recently developed in fisheries. This mitigated the pressure on the natural ecosystems.

◊ On Article 10(d), has your country put in place measures that help local populations develop and implement remedial action in degraded areas where biological diversity has been reduced?
No
No, but potential measures are under review
Yes, some measures are in place (please provide details below)	X
Yes, comprehensive measures are in place (please provide details below)
Further information on the measures that help local populations develop and implement remedial action in degraded areas where biodiversity has been reduced.
In the framework of “Regional Program on Agriculture Development of Mountainous Countries” of ICARDA, several new technologies for partial (surface) and general improvement of natural pastures and grasslands were developed in order to improve the feed diversity pastures under great pressure. Technology of partial improvement is currently applied for degraded pastures of Gegharkunik and Tavush marzes. Sustainable management methods are applied in 9500 ha pastures of 59 communities of two marzes under the “Natural Resources Management and Poverty Reduction” project. Animal grazing at those pastures is implemented in a row. To mitigate pressures at the pastures nearby the settlements as well as to use the farthest pastures about 200 cattle watering facilities have been restored and constructed. Currently those works are completed in 45 communities. As a result of the project 3300 ha grassland areas will be improved. Currently 1770 ha grasslands are already fertilized. “National Action Plan to Combat Desertification” includes activities on development of legislation on compensation to population impacted by natural disasters or located in the areas impacted by desertification, identification of the legal status of such areas, and possible provision of privileges to population.