RA Minister of Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan issued an order to form a task group to investigate a dispute over the use of the water of the Agichi River in the Vaiots Dzor and Gegharkunik regions. On August 4, the task group held a meeting at the ministry. Representatives of the communities using the water from the river, as well as the SOS Argichi civil initiative, participated in the meeting, the ministry’s press service told NEWS.am.

The task group decided to make the following proposal to the Minister:

1.The Argichi River is a natural spawning area for Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), Armenian khramulya ((Varicorhinus sieboldi) and bekhla. A population of khramulya is now developing in the tributary of the Argichi River in Gailadzor. Therefore, for fish population to be preserved, 20-25 per cent of average annual water discharge should be maintained, with the rest to be supplied to water users as priority.

2.Instruct the relevant agencies to assess the water supply applications submitted by five communities in the Gegharkunik region and by the Agnjadzor community in Vaiots Dzor. Ensure permissions for water users before the end of 2010.

3.Submit the problem of illegal building to the relevant agencies.

4.To instruct the Water Economy Agency, RA Ministry of Nature Protection, as well as the environmental inspection to toughen control over the use of water resources.