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ARMENIA IS TURNING INTO A DESERT
A1+
[07:13 pm] 05 June, 2006
82% of the territory of Armenia is in danger of desertification whereas
26% is in danger of severe desertification. This problem is pressing
in all over the world today; about two billion people live in areas
which are 41% deserified. In order to invite public attention to this
problem this year the slogan of the International Day of Environmental
Protection is "Do not desertify non-irrigated lands".
"We call on the government and the civic society to combat jointly
against desertification," UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Consuelo
Vidal said. Since 1998 Armenia has been realizing the national program
against desertification and is to represent the 3rd report in June.
Predictions show that in 10 years' time as a result of desertification
the humidity of the soil will be reduced by 10%, the volumes of
vegetable production will be reduced by 10% and the pastures will be
reduced by 20%. "Armenia is taking serious steps in order to combat
against desertification. The irrigation system is being reconstructed
and forests are being planted", deputy Minister of Environmental
Protection Simon Papyan said. Nevertheless, he added, "I don't want
to convince you that everything is just fine in the ecology field".
The survey held by NGO "Ecological Balance" revealed that 55% of the
population of the capital thinks that the ecological situation of the
city has changed for the worse during the past 5 years. The people
are mostly worried about the elimination of green areas.
Head of the NGO Karine Danielyan said that Armenia has processed a
good plan of combat against desertification, and we just have to put
it into execution.
At the end of the press conference a film was shown about illegal
forest cutting in Armenia.
A1+
[07:13 pm] 05 June, 2006
82% of the territory of Armenia is in danger of desertification whereas
26% is in danger of severe desertification. This problem is pressing
in all over the world today; about two billion people live in areas
which are 41% deserified. In order to invite public attention to this
problem this year the slogan of the International Day of Environmental
Protection is "Do not desertify non-irrigated lands".
"We call on the government and the civic society to combat jointly
against desertification," UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Consuelo
Vidal said. Since 1998 Armenia has been realizing the national program
against desertification and is to represent the 3rd report in June.
Predictions show that in 10 years' time as a result of desertification
the humidity of the soil will be reduced by 10%, the volumes of
vegetable production will be reduced by 10% and the pastures will be
reduced by 20%. "Armenia is taking serious steps in order to combat
against desertification. The irrigation system is being reconstructed
and forests are being planted", deputy Minister of Environmental
Protection Simon Papyan said. Nevertheless, he added, "I don't want
to convince you that everything is just fine in the ecology field".
The survey held by NGO "Ecological Balance" revealed that 55% of the
population of the capital thinks that the ecological situation of the
city has changed for the worse during the past 5 years. The people
are mostly worried about the elimination of green areas.
Head of the NGO Karine Danielyan said that Armenia has processed a
good plan of combat against desertification, and we just have to put
it into execution.
At the end of the press conference a film was shown about illegal
forest cutting in Armenia.