YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The right to live in a healthy environment is an inalienable human right–UN permanent representative to Armenia Katica Cekalovic said during a festive arrangement on the occasion of the International Environment Protection Day. She emphasized the fact that environmental programs are consistently implemented in Armenia.
In their speeches experts pointed out the main environmental problems in Armenia: the preservation of Lake Sevan–the protection of natural reserves–environmental pollution–the destruction of unique species of plants and animals–and strategic resources management. Chief of the Biodiversity Preservation Department–Ministry of Nature Protection–Sergey Shashikian said that many species of plants and animals in Armenia are on the verge of extinction.
In his report–Chief of the Pollutant Control Department Anahit Alexandrian addressed the most dangerous problem: harmful wastes. She pointed out that the mechanisms of eliminating various kinds of chemical substances (chemical weed-killers and pesticides) and controlling their supply need improvement.
The task of properly incinerating household rubbish is a priority. The scope of the problem was determined by indirect methods developed by the Ministry of Nature Protection. According to the data obtained the number of rats in Armenia runs to 2,000,000 with half of them in Yerevan.
During the arrangement jointly organized by the Ministry of Nature Protection and the UN Development Program an exhibition of children’s’ drawings and a contest for children were held. The winners received souvenirs.