Ministry Denies Permission for Water Extraction from Lake of Red Peak, Spokesman Says

The environmental ministry's specialized units have thoroughly investigated the issue concerning the crater lake known as Red Peak, which was raised by several Facebook users. According to these users, a citizen is using water from the naturally formed lake for personal needs with a pump. This was reported by the ministry's spokesman, David Grigoryan, on his Facebook page.

He noted that no water use permit has been granted by the Ministry of Environment for extracting water from this lake. Therefore, no citizen has the right to extract water from the lake.

Considering that the lake is part of a natural ecosystem, Environment Minister Romanos Petrosyan has instructed to send a letter to the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body to find out under what conditions water is being extracted from the lake, to understand the situation on-site, and to restore the natural condition of the lake in accordance with the law.

"It should be noted that representatives from both local self-government bodies and the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body, as well as the police, are already present in the area adjacent to the crater lake. We will provide additional information after the completion of the visit. We thank all the citizens who express their concern by reporting such issues and responding promptly. Especially at this stage, the involvement of every citizen of the Republic of Armenia in the noble cause of protecting nature is of particular importance," the ministry's spokesman informed.