CARE 4 SEVANCARE 4 SEVAN

ConsequencesConsequences

Consequences of the Consequences of the ProblemsProblems

•Health – epidemic diseasesHealth – epidemic diseases

•EconomyEconomy•Reduced fisherman income•Reduced income from tourism due to:–Poor sanitation–Intestinal diseases–Polluted rivers and lake

General Conditions General Conditions in Gegharkunik Marzin Gegharkunik Marz

• Greater than 44% live in povertyGreater than 44% live in poverty• Greater than 15% in utter poverty less Greater than 15% in utter poverty less than $1 per daythan $1 per day Source: IMF 2006, Country Report No. 06/239

• 80% rural have no access to central 80% rural have no access to central sewage system sewage system

• Source: OECD and country report, 2004

• About 7% of all infant deaths are attributed About 7% of all infant deaths are attributed to diarrhea related diseases in Armenia (to diarrhea related diseases in Armenia (NSS, NSS,

20062006.) .)

• The childhood mortality is especially higher The childhood mortality is especially higher among children living in rural areasamong children living in rural areas (NSS of RA, 2005)

ConsequencesConsequences

•The collapse of water infrastructure The collapse of water infrastructure and supply systems especially in and supply systems especially in rural communities have resulted in rural communities have resulted in inadequate and often unsanitary inadequate and often unsanitary water supplywater supply

•The lack of sewage system in rural The lack of sewage system in rural areas (more than 80%) has attributed areas (more than 80%) has attributed to drinking water contaminationto drinking water contamination

•Neglected sanitation sector has Neglected sanitation sector has caused diseasescaused diseases

Problems & Problems & ConsequencesConsequences

•Sewage Problems:Sewage Problems:– Pit-latrines with hole a few meters deepPit-latrines with hole a few meters deep– Smelly and dirtySmelly and dirty– WasteWaste water (grey and black) from toilets water (grey and black) from toilets is disposed into the open drainage is disposed into the open drainage channelschannels

– Usage of drainage water for irrigationUsage of drainage water for irrigation– Regularly flooded during springRegularly flooded during spring

•Consequences:Consequences:– High risk of soil and groundwater High risk of soil and groundwater contaminationcontamination

– Unhealthy condition of school toiletUnhealthy condition of school toiletss– Children infected by parasitesChildren infected by parasites

Typical Conditions of Typical Conditions of School ToiletsSchool Toilets

Bacteriological Bacteriological Studies of Lake Sevan Studies of Lake Sevan

Basin’s RiversBasin’s Rivers• No pathogenic microorganisms (Shigella and No pathogenic microorganisms (Shigella and Salmonella)Salmonella)

• Extremely unfavorable levels of coliform Extremely unfavorable levels of coliform bacteria exceeding standards in rivers bacteria exceeding standards in rivers Hrazdan, Gavaraget, Masrik, and ArgichiHrazdan, Gavaraget, Masrik, and Argichi

• The highest level for E. coli was 50 times The highest level for E. coli was 50 times greater than established standards in the greater than established standards in the lower reaches of the River Hrazdanlower reaches of the River Hrazdan

• The spreading of antibiotic resistant The spreading of antibiotic resistant bacterial isolates is associated with the bacterial isolates is associated with the risks to public health.risks to public health.

• The established high quantity of E. coli in The established high quantity of E. coli in waters of Armenia is dangerous for human and waters of Armenia is dangerous for human and animal healthanimal health

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 44 2008

Decline in fisheryDecline in fishery

• Winter Bakhtak (Salmo IshkhanWinter Bakhtak (Salmo Ishkhan)) which previously made up 30% of Sevan trout stocks, has now practically disappeared

• Bojak (S. Ishkhan danilewskii) Bojak (S. Ishkhan danilewskii) is also rarely found now.

• Spawning of summer Bakhtak (S. Spawning of summer Bakhtak (S. Ishkhan aestivalis) Ishkhan aestivalis) has been disrupted by:– decline in the level of Lake Sevan– damming of rivers

• Gegharkuni (S. Ishkhan gegarkuni) Gegharkuni (S. Ishkhan gegarkuni) currently maintained through artificial breeding.

• Sevan beghlou (Barbus lacerta Sevan beghlou (Barbus lacerta goktschaicus) goktschaicus) these species are now listed in the Red Data Book of Armenia

Causes of Near Causes of Near Extinction Extinction of Ishkhan of Ishkhan

• Loss of original spawning grounds on the lake Loss of original spawning grounds on the lake shore and at the river mouthshore and at the river mouth

• Changes of substrate quality in the new shore Changes of substrate quality in the new shore beltbelt

• Changes in macrophytes population linked to Changes in macrophytes population linked to spawningspawning

• Higher summer temperature of water during Higher summer temperature of water during spawningspawning

• Overfishing with monofilament nets, and Overfishing with monofilament nets, and poachingpoaching

• Lack of efficiency of artificial reproductionLack of efficiency of artificial reproduction• Competition between ishkhan and introduction Competition between ishkhan and introduction of exotic fish speciesof exotic fish species