Project Context and Aim

The vast wetlands of the Ararat Plain provide a home for over 4,000 species of animals and plants, including the endemic Armenia cochineal. The wetlands were extensively drained for agriculture during the Soviet era, which had a lasting impact on the ecosystem function and biodiversity of the brackish marshes in the mere 2,000 ha which remain today. Much of the agricultural area has become salinized, causing it to be abandoned, which now provides an opportunity for restoration. Building on the results of a pilot restoration intervention, and working closely with local communities as well as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the aim of the project is to undertake a comprehensive study within the degraded areas. It will consider the priorities for restoration and develop a justified plan that scopes out the technical, legal, and financial aspects whilst also assessing the opportunities for nature and people. 

Project Partners