Lake Sevan plays an important role not only in the development of the economy, tourism, and fishing of Gegharkunik Province, but also for the economy of the entire Armenia.

According to the latest monitoring data, the economic contribution of the lake is estimated at about $400 million, Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan on Monday stated during a press conference in Yerevan. According to him, Lake Sevan is one of the main natural resources and the most important reservoir of freshwater of Armenia.

That is why the preservation of the lake and ensuring water quality are of particular importance for the country. Matevosyan noted that the Ministry of Environment of Armenia is implementing a number of programs aimed at preserving the biodiversity of Lake Sevan. In particular, work is being carried out to protect its endemic species of trout, as well as measures are being taken to clean the lake basin.

The minister recalled that one of the initiatives of the Armenian presidency at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, being held in Yerevan, concerns mountain and freshwater ecosystems.

Since Armenia is a mountainous country, the preservation of such ecosystems is of particular importance for it. In this regard, Armenia has applied for funding for the Lake Sevan environmental program.

As Matevosyan informed, the application was approved in the amount of $1.4 million. At the same time, he emphasized that this is not the only funding and the only program on which Armenia is working together with partners.