Ecological Policy

The main goal of Yerevan's ecological policy is to preserve, protect, and improve the natural environment of the capital to ensure the sustainable, healthy, and proportional development of the city's economy. Environmental management in Yerevan depends on its main components: land resources, atmosphere (air), water resources, and biodiversity, with a focus on monitoring, improving their condition, and consistently fulfilling the functions enshrined in the RA legislation.

Ecological Profile of Yerevan

The total area of the city is 223 square km which extends 19.7 km from north to south and 19.1 km from east to west. Yerevan is located in the northeastern part of the Ararat Valley, at an altitude of 850-1300 m above sea level. The lowest areas are Shengavit and Malatia-Sebastia administrative districts. The highest areas are Avan and Nor Nork administrative districts. The city center is Republic Square, at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. Biodiversity is closely linked to the quality of natural resources and the existence of 86 urban parks. Green zones cover about 30% of the city's total area, with green vegetation, including lawns, covering about 906.8 hectares. Green space per capita is  8.3 square meters. The increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by about 10 times, the deterioration of air and soil quality, and the depletion and pollution of water resources are major factors in climate change. By 2100, it is predicted that Yerevan's temperature will rise by 1.7°C and precipitation will decrease by 10 mm.
Main problems
1.    Improving the water quality of the Hrazdan River and the Getar River tributary.
2.    Cleaning Yerevan Lake and its coastal area, restoring them as recreation zones.
3.    Ensuring household waste sorting and waste recycling.
4.    Replacing old, diseased, dry, and/or less valuable trees in the capital with healthy, beautiful, and valuable tree species.
5.    Modernizing, expanding, and reconstructing the irrigation network, increasing green plantings.
Activities carried out in 2023
1.    Cleaning of Yerevan Lake and the Hrazdan Gorge from harmful vegetation, various debris, and waste; about 9900 cubic meters of garbage were collected and transported to the landfill.
2.    The construction of a water treatment plant on the Getar River began; the first phase of work is completed.
3.    Environmental activities in schools under the project "A World Without Waste" in cooperation with the Yerevan Municipality, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia, and the NGO "Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Community Development", aimed at raising awareness about the need for waste sorting among the population.
4.    The green area increased by 19.1145 hectares, including 16.6 hectares of forest cover, 0.8991 hectares of lawn, 1.05 hectares of garden, and 0.5654 hectares of park.
5.    A thuja park was established in Yerevan, covering 1 hectare.
6.    Two entirely new parks were created:
o    "Park of Zeitun" in Kanaker-Zeytun administrative district, covering 0.45 hectares with 41 valuable and beautiful trees.
o    A new and modern park in Shengavit administrative district, covering 0.6 hectares with 90 valuable and beautiful tree species, evergreen trees and shrubs, and flowerbeds.
7.    1695 trees, 27674 shrubs (including 7305 barrier shrubs and 25893 rose bushes) were planted in public use areas.
8.    357871 flowers were planted. The main flowerbed of Yerevan was established in front of the Yerevan Municipality building.
9.    1128 dry and damaged trees were cut down.
10.    17289 trees were pruned.
11.    Approximately 36 thousand lines of the irrigation system were repaired and rebuilt.
12.    In 2023, mapping and inventory of green spaces were completed in the Arabkir administrative district.
13.    As part of waste sorting, about 28 tons of plastic, 30 tons of glass, and 580 tons of cardboard were collected.
14.    Acquired modern equipment for green space care and tree planting: one 32-meter and two 22-meter lifts, and four Kamaz trucks were overhauled.

Activities  planned for 2024

•    Completion of the water treatment plant construction.
•    Installation of two garbage collectors on the Hrazdan River.
•    Expansion of Yerevan Zoo, construction of new enclosures.
•    Fundamental research and design work for creating a public park on the newly opened Republican monument "Gardens of Dalma".
•    Cleaning of the coastal territory of the Hrazdan Gorge: obtaining ecological status for Yerevan Lake and the Hrazdan Gorge.
•    Replacing old, diseased, dry, and/or low-quality trees on some streets of the capital with more beautiful and valuable tree species.
•    Implementing various greening solutions, including vertical greening.
•    Improving green spaces for public use.
•    Acquiring modern equipment for green space care and tree planting.
•    Reconstruction of the irrigation network.
•    Waste sorting in Yerevan: about 1000 garbage cans purchased under the EU grant program will be installed in 2024.
Greening Policy
In the challenging climatic and environmental conditions of Yerevan, green spaces are vital for improving sanitary-hygienic and microclimatic conditions, as well as enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the environment. To improve and expand green areas, reduce air pollution, and implement soil protection measures, the following scientific policy has been adopted:
1.    Selection of resilient, valuable, decorative, and evergreen tree species considering the microclimatic and natural conditions and specific characteristics of their planting area, their reaction to gas, dust, smoke, and other pollutants.
2.    Measures to reduce soil contamination, such as isolating the area adjacent to streets with hedges.
3.    Creation of green hedges with tiered vegetation.
4.    Partial replacement of large annual flowers with perennial and seasonally alternating flowering shrubs, considering the local architectural appearance.
Prospects for Creating City-Wide Forest Zones
1.    Forest protection zone on the right slope of the Water Park.
2.    Protective forest zone in Silikyan quarters.
3.    Nubarashen forest protection zone.

Irrigation

In the semi-desert climate of Yerevan, the capital receives water from the Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions. Water supply for irrigation is provided by the "Yerevan" and "Kotayk" water users. The length of the irrigation system in the capital is 400.5 km, 170 km of which are in satisfactory condition, while the rest are worn out, clogged, or in emergency condition. Following the inventory and analysis of the irrigation network carried out in 2019-2020, approximately 28.5 km of the irrigation network were laid and replaced in 2023.

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Neutralization of Stray Animals

Since 2018, Yerevan has been following a policy of responsible animal handling. Cruel treatment of stray animals is not acceptable anymore. The adopted approach involves sterilizing stray animals and bringing them to a veterinary center for examination and care. They are vaccinated against rabies, treated for external and internal parasites, and then released back to the same area from which they were brought. Animals with dangerous infectious diseases are euthanized to prevent animal cruelty and to preserve biodiversity in the area. After necessary examinations, stray animals are considered harmless to humans. On February 12, by decision No. 63-A of the Council of Elders, the non-profit public organization "Center for Neutralization of Stray Animals" was created, later renamed the Animal Care Center.
Keeping Domestic Animals, Registration, and Organization of Veterinary Services
The rules for keeping and registering domestic animals in Yerevan were defined by the Council of Elders of Yerevan on October 24, 2011. According to the approved rules, it is necessary to obtain permission from the community and register the animal. Although these rules have been in effect for the last 10 years, they have not significantly influenced the successful tradition of keeping domestic animals. The municipality is building separate dog parks in all administrative districts to ensure the safety of people in recreational areas, parks, and squares. Since November, a unified system for registering domestic animals has been implemented in Yerevan's 12 administrative districts, monitored and coordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Animal Care Center.

Agricultural Animals

In addition to stray and domestic animals, Yerevan also has agricultural animals that need to be registered. The Yerevan Municipality annually registers agricultural animals by administrative districts.