YEREVAN (Armenpress)–178 million cubic meters of water were pumped out of Lake Sevan–instead of the planned 189 million–this year. For the first time during the last 10 years no water was pumped out for energy purposes in the winter of 99-00. The same is expected for this winter.
However the water level of Lake Sevan decreased by 7 cm in comparison with the same period last year. The head of the water resources protection department of the nature protection ministry Vladimir Narimanian considers climatic conditions as the main reason of the decrease in the lake’s water level.
According to a government decision–such scientific research should have been carried out in 1999–but it was postponed because of a lack of the necessary means. The lake’s water volume decreased by 50% in comparison with 1933.
Different boards have worked out various programs for the restoration of Sevan–particularly for the protection of water–land–forest and fish resources.