Cbd third National Report Armenia (English version)

15. 
    
    

    Target 7.2	Reduce pollution and its impacts on biodiversity
    National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
    No
    Yes, the same as the global target
    Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established					X
    Please provide details below.
    NBSAP identifies the following targets: - develop mitigating mechanism with the purpose to diminish the negative economic impact on the biodiversity, at the same time ensure the determination of the real market values of the bioresources; - use environmental friendly technologies to ensure the conservation of biodiversity.
    National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
    Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
    Agricultural			X
    Inland water			X
    Marine and coastal
    Dry and sub humid land			X
    Forest			X
    Mountain			X
    Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    No
    Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan					X
    Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes					X
    Please provide details below.
    NASP envisages: - develop and implement a project to directly oversee the human impact on the natural environmental ecosystems; - implement monitoring of stored chemical and industrial wastes and biodiversity risk assessment to mitigate it; - conduct a study about the impact of the used pesticides and fertilizers on biodiversity. In the national action plan for CCD in Armenia they mention the need to improve the waste management legislation; however, it is not linked with the issues of biodiversity. With the purpose to complexly study the lymnosystem of Sevan the Government has approved “Monitoring of contamination state of water sites and air basin” and “Hydro-meteorological monitoring conduced in the Lake Sevan and its basin” program. Within the first program in 29 observatory points of the Lake Sevan and its watershed they will implement a monitoring of the water contamination. The purpose of the second program is to acquire additional equipment and technical devices for water and atmosphere monitoring.
    Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
    As by 2003 data in Armenia every year they generate 300 million cubic meter of waste water, approximately 60% of which without any purification flows into open reservoirs ant the rest 40% is subjected to only mechanical purification. The waste waters generated in the basin of the Lake Sevan without purification and decontamination are channeled to the Lake Sevan. The main industrial sectors of the basin used to be: machine tool; chemical; food; wood processing and textile industries. Today those enterprises are not functioning or functioning at lower capacities. However, deteriorated substances; chlorines; sulfates; azoth reactions; oil products, phosphates; iron; copper, etc. are channeled to the lake through unpurified streams. There are many settlements on the shore of the Lake Sevan, include 4 large towns. The rural areas do not have water waste systems. Only the towns have sewerage systems in the littoral area, the waters of which are not purified in urban station. The study of the state of water waste and sewerage water purification in the basin of the Lake Sevan; evaluation of biological contamination in the littoral area of the lake identified poor state of hygiene – with violation of hygiene norms. Based on the evaluation of the accumulation, removal, decontamination study of industrial and solid domestic wastes and degree of contamination of littoral areas in Gegharkunik marz development program they have included recommendations about building up economic-domestic and industrial wastewater purification stations and processing enterprises for solid wastes. Under the conditions of lack of purifying stations there has been no reduction of the level or degree of external environment in the biodiversity. In the republic some studies are being implemented aimed at the gauging the impact of various contaminants on the environment (heavy metals; chemical materials, etc). The overwhelming part of those surveys is being implemented on the borders of the settlements and less outside of their borders. So far there have been no complex surveys, based on which one could evaluate the impact of the contamination on the biodiversity. “Environmental Survival” NGO has implemented “Reduction of negative impact of dabagh industry on the ecosystem of the river Hrazdan” sub-project, within which they studied the water world of the river Hrazdan; evaluated the impact of the industrial enterprises on the biodiversity of the river and rehabilitation of purification station has been done for “Kashi” CJSC.
    Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
    An indicator for the contamination of the Lake Sevan is the number of materials surpassing the boundary permissible values, number of waters used during the industrial process and their quality.
    Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
    In 1995 the Government has started the privatization of industrial enterprises. The application of clean technologies and organization of the production in the aforementioned enterprises, as well as upgrading of purification stations require huge financial investments. Lack of legal and normative framework. Lack of safe storage and processing possibilities for dangerous wastes. Insufficient material-technical base for controlling entity – especially insufficiency of laboratory equipment.
    Please provide any other relevant information.

16. 
    
    

Goal 8	Maintain capacity of ecosystems to deliver goods and services and support livelihoods.
Target 8.1	Capacity of ecosystems to deliver goods and services maintained
National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
No
Yes, the same as the global target
Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established					X
Please provide details below.
With this formulation the target is not stipulated in the program document; however, the goods or services provision support by ecosystems on the national level is reflected in the action plans of environmental bias, as well as in socio-economic development plan of the country. The measures aimed at the improvement and rehabilitation of water ecosystems; forests, as well as pastures and grasslands and pastures directly contribute to the relevant capacity enhancement of ecosystems from the standpoint of provision of goods (fish products; fodder and medical herbs; timber; non-timber products of the forest, etc) and services (recreation, ecotourism; mitigation of the climate, etc).
National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
Agricultural				See targets 1.2 and 5.1; sections II, III
Inland water				See targets 1.1 ¨ 4.1
Marine and coastal
Dry and sub humid land
Forest				See targets 1.1 ¨ 4.1
Mountain
Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
No
Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan					X
Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes					X
Please provide details below.
The following activities are in compliance with target NBSAP, which in their turn include more than 50 measures: - improvement of evaluation and supervision of sizes of bioresources use; - fostering of sustainable use methods in the agriculture; - fostering sustainable use of forest resources; - fostering sustainable fishing; - fostering of sustainable use of bioresources; - fostering of sustainable use by local communities; - development of sustainable use mechanisms in the proximity of specially protected area by the local communities; - establishment of mechanisms for the rehabilitation of forest resources and reduction of the impact on the forests; - development and implementation of sustainable ecotourism encouraging programs. Actually in NBSAP they have included approximately all the areas and issues, including the agriculture, inland waters, forest. The “Strategy for Development of Agriculture in Armenia” envisages the solution of the given target in agro-systems and pastures and grasslands. In the National Forest Program adopted in 2005 a special focus is drawn to the development of ecotourism, recreation and hunting farms, as well as increase of volumes of effective use of forest products. The goods and services support by forest ecosystems is linked with the forest certification issue, which is envisaged in the forest development programs. At present the first steps in the direction of forest certification are performed within “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” project – in the phase of certification preparation of Zikatar model forest.
Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
With a purpose to solve the aforementioned target a range of laws and the Government Resolutions have been passed, of which are: - “Law on environmental and nature use fees” (1998); - “Law on compensation tariffs for the damage incurred to the flora and fauna as a result of environmental legal violations” (2005); - The Government Resolution “On approving the rules of amateur hunting and fishing; fishing and hunting of animals that are not subject to hunting on the territory of the Republic of Armenia” (2004); - The Government Resolution “On approving the order of concluding contracts on using the objects of the fauna for social purposes” (2003); - The Government Resolution “On approving the order of concluding contracts and issuing user license for the use of the objects of fauna for agricultural and industrial purposes in the Republic of Armenia” (2002). In the republic the use of bioresources for the industrial purposes is done on the basis of licenses of permits issued by bioresources management agency of Ministry of Nature Protection. However; the sustainable use of bioresources envisages stipulation of amounts subject to use, for which one needs exact data on bioresources management and inventory. Often those are missing and there are not clear principles developed for the evaluation of the resources. Water, fish products and crayfish are of commodity value in the natural resources of the water ecosystems. In recent past the Lake Sevan and rivers flowing into the lake were rich of fish species, which would meet the food needs of the population. Because of reduction of the river flow; contaminations of the water systems and poaching the fish reserves have gone drastically down. If in 1996 the total fishing of white fish was 3100t, then in 2004 it was 420. The fishing of crucian carp in recent years was around 400-500t. Sazan has commercial significance in the lake Arpi, the annual fishing of which makes 500t, the reservoir has lost its commercial significance. The annual fishing (white fish, trout, etc) in the reservoir of Ketchut makes 150-200t. The light rivers have important fishery significance; however, there the conservation of the fish reserves is insufficient. The rivers are not only significantly contaminated with stream waters, but also their water regime is disturbed during irrigation phase. The activities of “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” program are aimed at the establishment of sustainable management mechanisms of the natural resources in Gegharkunik and Tavush marzes and poverty reduction through their implementation. The activities envisaged by the program include improvement of biodiversity conservation and use mechanisms of the mountains; forests; meadows; steppes and water ecosystems. The direct objective of the program is to improve the population’s socio-economic state, support the rehabilitation of natural pastures and grasslands, prevention of landslides and water erosion through rehabilitation and sustainable use of deteriorated forests.
Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
Lack of accurate data on bioresources registration; the amounts of bioresources’ use established by licenses are not effectively controlled. The quantitative growth of commodities provided by ecosystems can be ensured only by the means of conservation of land and water ecosystems; creation of processing enterprises and prevention of illegal use and poaching; however, to implement the aforementioned activities one shall have huge material and human resources. The frequent violations of forest and forest resources use are hampering the development of ecotourism in that area. The strong impact of human factor on the nature, especially the lack of environmental knowledge among rural population, delay the dynamics of rehabilitation of natural ecosystems.
Please provide any other relevant information.

17. 
    
    

    Target 8.2	Biological resources that support sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care, especially of poor people maintained
    National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
    No
    Yes, the same as the global target
    Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established					X
    Please provide details below.
    The target is included in a range of strategic documents and decrees of the Government: - “National forest policy and strategy of the Republic of Armenia” 2005; - “Action plan for mitigating actions to help address the problems associated with illegal logging” 2005; - “National Forest Program of the Republic of Armenia” 2005. The Government Resolution # 880 dated 2005 envisages development of natural pastures and grasslands sustainable use mechanism. The same issue is also stipulated in “Sustainable agriculture growth” (2004).
    National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
    Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
    Agricultural
    Inland water				According to “Law on approving the annual and complex plans of measures of rehabilitation, conservation, reproduction and use of the ecosystem of the Lake Sevan” (2001) among other measures the following issues have been identified as primary: - by the means of setting up norms and regulations in the Lake Sevan and its watershed basin reduction of negation anthropogenic impact on the lake’s ecosystem and its individual components and prevention of their further degrading; - conservation, rehabilitation and reproduction of rare, endemic and scientifically and commercially high value biodiversity species;. The Government Protocol Resolution “On approving the annual plans of the Lake Sevan’s ecosystems rehabilitation, conservation, reproduction and use 2004 (06.11.2003) and 2005 (30.09.2004) envisaged: - study, evaluation and forecast of changes of the components of ecosystems; - scientific researches in “Sevan” national park. Registration of wild flora and fauna resources in the lake and watershed basin of the lake and identification of the permissible criteria. - replenishment of fish reserves. Reproduction of the valuable and rare fish species. Conservation of gene pool.
    Marine and coastal
    Dry and sub humid land
    Forest				“Action plan for mitigating actions to help address the problems associated with illegal logging” (2005) envisages the following activities: reduction of rural poverty; development of community forest programs; provision of alternative fuel; rehabilitation of forest institutions and establishment of capacities; forest certification, etc. “National Forest Plan of the Republic of Armenia” (2005) envisages increase of effective forest products, which will lead to the improvement of social condition of the population.
    Mountain				In 2005 with the support of FAO they developed “Sustainable development strategy of mountainous and high mountainous” project, where in an individual section they presented “Strategy of effective use of the natural resources and conservation of environment”. They have identified the main environmental objectives, goals, priority directions for sustainable development in mountainous areas and developed investment recommendations for the sustainable use of bioresources.
    Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    No
    Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan					X
    Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes					X
    Please provide details below.
    Activities envisaged in NBSAP: - improvement of evaluation and supervision of bioresources usage amounts; - fostering of sustainable use methods in agriculture; - fostering of sustainable use of forest resources; - fostering of sustainable fishing; - fostering of approaches of sustainable use of bioresources; - establishment of mechanisms for forest resources rehabilitation and reduction of impact on forests. In “National Forest Program of the Republic of Armenia” it is mentioned that one of the priority directions of additional forest use is the development and introduction of mechanism for the effective use of agricultural lands in forest areas. Within “Action plan for mitigating actions to help address the problems associated with illegal logging” they envisage the development of community forest programs, which include implementation activities: - establishment of users’ associations; - development of community forest management plans; - pre-commercial and commercial logging as by approved forest management plans; - sustainable storage of non-timber products.
    Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
    In Gegharkunik marz has got one of the highest poverty incidence - around 65%. The main welfare of the population for many years was the fishing. The population was involved either in fishing or fish trading or fish processing. By and large around 30% of the population was involved in fishing industry. However, year by year there is a tendency of reduction of fish reserves and resources fee for the use of white fish has become a heavy burden for the poor walk of the population and it became the main reason of increasing poaching. To export to the international market the Armenian fish products and crayfish, according to the requirements of EU food bureau’s fish products section, in 2004 upon the Resolution of the Government, the Ministry of Health is the authorized body to issue fish product export lichens. Within the framework of USAID DAI “Armenia agriculture small and medium enterprises market development” project they have identified the possible role of small fisheries in the fish export development. After saturating the internal market Armenia can export up to 4000-5000 t of fish. One of the most crucial objectives of management plans development within “Natural resources management and poverty reduction” project is to ensure the balance between the biodiversity conservation and welfare improvement of the local population. The implementing activities are aimed at the establishment of mechanisms for the sustainable management of the natural resources and poverty reduction by their means. The project implements the community pastures sustainable management by applying the fertilizers in overgrazed pastures and identify the zones forbidden for grazing.
    Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
    Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
    The key challenge is poverty reduction. Under the circumstance of low welfare the burden on natural resources is increasing and control of the challenge becomes impossible. The low education and awareness level of the population; insufficiency of the natural resources management; lack of employment for population; lack of inter-sectoral investments for subsistence; violations of laws and regulations and non-implementation of preventive measures; unstable situation of the country’s economy, as a result of which the storing organizations - especially medical herbs, edible wild legumes, mushrooms, berries, etc – strive for getting maximum income at short period of time.
    Please provide any other relevant information.

18. 
    
    

    Goal 9	Maintain socio-cultural diversity of indigenous and local communities.
    Target 9.1	Protect traditional knowledge, innovations and practices
    National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
    No					X
    Yes, the same as the global target
    Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established
    Please provide details below.
    National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
    Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
    Agricultural
    Inland water
    Marine and coastal
    Dry and sub humid land
    Forest
    Mountain
    Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    No
    Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan					X
    Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes
    Please provide details below.
    “Fostering sustainable use of bioresources by local communities” activity is designated for the solution of the issue mentioned in NBSAP, which includes the following activities: - develop a range of pilot projects for dissemination of traditional approaches of biodiversity use; - develop mechanisms for the adjusting the principles of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the local experience; - implement continuous training and education programs about sustainable use of biodiversity – aimed t the local communities; - develop grant scheme – to foster the traditional biodiversity experience and sustainable use in the local communities.
    Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
    Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
    Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
    Please provide any other relevant information.

19. 
    
    

    Target 9.2	Protect the rights of indigenous and local communities over their traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, including their rights to benefit sharing
    National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
    No					X
    Yes, the same as the global target
    Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established
    Please provide details below.
    National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
    Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
    Agricultural
    Inland water
    Marine and coastal
    Dry and sub humid land
    Forest
    Mountain
    Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
    No					X
    Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan
    Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes
    Please provide details below.
    Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
    Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
    Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
    Please provide any other relevant information.

20. 
    
    

Goal 10	Ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources.
Target 10.1	All transfers of genetic resources are in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and other applicable agreements
National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
No					X
Yes, the same as the global target
Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established
Please provide details below.
The national objectives concerning the transfer of genetic resources in compliance with “Convention on Biological Diversity” and other international treaties have not been identified in the official strategic or legislative documents approved by the Government. This target is indirectly regulated by a range of existing laws. In particular, the “Law on Nature Specially Protected Areas” regulates the use of bioresources in specially protected area of different categories; “Law on Flora” and “Law on Fauna” stipulate the rights and obligations of users of genetic resources, including the privatization and incomes of the results of bioresources use. According to “Law on selection achievements” (1999) the author of the selection species is entitled to use the selection specie, as well as envisages the use of selection achievement by other persons for non-commercial purposes – for experiments and as background material to get other species. Armenia has not joined yet the International Treaty on PGRFA; however this process is fostered by the Ministry of Agriculture.
National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
Agricultural				In a range of projects and programs of regional cooperation in compliance with the principles of “Convention on Biological Diversity” the implement the transfer and exchange of genetic material for the following purposes: - enrichment of genetic collections; - experiments of species and introduction into culture; - reliable conservation of gerplazma as a copy of collection.
Inland water
Marine and coastal
Dry and sub humid land
Forest
Mountain
Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
No
Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan
Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes
Please provide details below.
Within “Evaluation of needs for the establishment of primary capacities for the biodiversity” (UNDP/GEF 2002) project they have developed “Accessibility of genetic resources, fair distribution of profit received from their use”, which according to Bonn principles stipulates the key principles of provision, use and acquisition of genetic resources – based on fair and equal mechanism of profit distribution.
Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
In Armenia they have not developed yet the mechanisms for the use and applied results of genetic resources on mutually agreed conditions, as well as for the transfer of genetic material. For scientific and education purposes the transfer of genetic material, including the samples of live and dead collections, upon the request of various countries is still done of free of charge basis. The decision about the transfer of genetic material is made by the institution having collection and the export permit is issued by Ministry of Nature Protection.
Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
The lack of a monitoring system for the collection and transfer of genetic material can contribute to the quantitative reduction of this or that species population.
Please provide any other relevant information.

21. 
    
    

Target 10.2	Benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic resources shared with the countries providing such resources
National target: Has a national target been established corresponding to the global target above?
No					X
Yes, the same as the global target
Yes, one or more specific national targets have been established
Please provide details below.
The target, as it is, is not formulated in the official documents (national strategic plans and legislation). The laws, mentioned in the target 10.1 section I, are indirectly dealing with these issues.
National targets for specific programmes of work: If such national target(s) ha(s)(ve) been established, please indicate here, and give further details in the box(es).
Programme of work		Yes	No	Details
Agricultural				Although many programs and projects being implemented in the Ministry of Agriculture and institutions under its auspices do not chase an objective of joint use of the profit; however, they envisage fair and equal distribution of the proceeds received from the use of the resources with the countries having them allocated those resources. The income received are of monetary nature and envisages: - legally equal distribution of the material during the registration, co-authoring and scientific publications of selection achievement; - training and exchange of experience.
Inland water
Marine and coastal
Dry and sub humid land
Forest
Mountain
Has the global or national target been incorporated into relevant plans, programmes and strategies?
No
Yes, into national biodiversity strategy and action plan
Yes, into sectoral strategies, plans and programmes
Please provide details below.
The principles of distribution of proceeds received from the commercial or other activities of genetic resources are presented in “Accessibility of genetic resources, strategy of fair distribution of the proceeds received from their use”. (see target 10.1, sections I, II).
Please provide information on current status and trends in relation to this target.
The benefit sharing, as a rule, is not a primary objective of the joint program, project or research implemented with the country providing with genetic resources. During the international programs implemented in the country some of the mechanisms for the joint sharing of the proceeds received as a result of use of genetic resources: - equal distribution of genetic materials collected during scientific expeditions among seeds’ collections of participating countries; - education and training; - provision of informational materials, etc.
Please provide information on indicators used in relation to this target.
Please provide information on challenges in implementation of this target.
Lack of laws and normative acts regulating the issues of equal and fair distribution of the proceeds received from the use of genetic resources. Lack of information about possible proceeds of existing genetic resources and provided gerplazma.
Please provide any other relevant information.