Environment Minister: Over 900 violations  recorded in 2025

ArmInfo.The Environmental Patrol Service of the Armenian Ministry of Environment recorded 903 violations in 2025, as stated by Armenian Minister of  Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan during a press conference in Yerevan, presenting the results of 2025.

He noted that these violations  resulted in 523 million drams worth of  damage to nature  and wildlife  (approximately $1.4 million), with fines totaling 14.3  million drams (approximately $38,000). "Since April 11, 2025, the  Syunik Regional Administration has compensated environmental damage  in the amount of 40.3 million drams (approximately $106,000), with  fines amounting to 1.6 million drams (approximately $4,000)," he  added. Speaking about achievements, the Minister emphasized the  digitalization of the ministry's services in 2025. "Of the 29  licenses, 24 are already being issued electronically, an increase of  12  from the previous year," Matevosyan noted.

In this context, he also announced that, starting September 1, 2026,  water use permits will be issued exclusively electronically.  According to Matevosyan, a total of 4,243 contracts for recreational  fishing and 196 for hunting were signed in 2025. Regarding water  resource management, Matevosyan noted the importance of preserving  water resources in the face of climate change. He reported that the  annual restorative capacity of the Ararat Valley's groundwater  resources was set at 926 million cubic meters in December 2025, a  decrease from the previous figure of 1.1 billion cubic meters. In  this regard, he noted that the volume of water use permits for fish  farming in the Ararat Valley in 2025 was 802 million cubic meters.  "This regulation will reduce groundwater use in the Ararat Valley by  36.5% over the next 1.5 years," the Minister said.

To restore the valuable fish species to ecosystems, Matevosyan  continued, 2,500 parent fish of the trout family were released,  resulting in the restoration of 80,000 individuals. "In 2026, we plan  to release 50,000 trout into the upper reaches of the Dzoraget  River," the Minister added. In the context of sustainable use of  bioresources, Matevosyan recalled that a whitefish harvest quota of  1,123 tons was set for 2025, an increase of 436 tons compared to the  previous year. "The actual harvest was 1,103 tons, with sales  amounting to 72.5 million drams," Matevosyan noted.

Introducing the new restrictions, he stated that, starting July 1,  2026, it will be prohibited to discharge untreated wastewater into  the general sewer system. Furthermore, he noted that the fee for  wildlife management has been revised. According to Matevosyan, it  will double in 2026, and the fee per kilogram of whitefish will  approximately triple. Regarding the situation in Sevan National Park,  the Minister pointed out that 148 illegal buildings were dismantled  between 2021 and 2025. According to Matevosyan, 2025 was also an  important year for the Ministry due to new legislative initiatives.  "A law was created to comply with international standards, completely  revising the protection and management of natural areas," he  clarified.

In conclusion, the Minister also addressed  reforestation efforts. In  2025, reforestation work was carried out on an area of approximately  260 hectares using state funds. In addition, 474 hectares of forested  areas were restored with the support of the UN World Food Programme.