RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN IN ARMENIA:
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE OUR WATER ENVIRONMENT
In Armenia, the EU-funded programme EUWI+ is working on 3 river basins: Akhuryan, Hrazdan and Sevan river basins.
This section explains what an RBMP is, and gives more information about RBMP development and implementation in Armenia (documents, maps key figures).
First River Basin Management Plans finalised in the frame of the EUWI+ project
Hrazdan River Basin - Video
Sevan River Basin - Video
River Basin Management Plan: a tool to achieve sustainable water management
Achieving sustainable water management requires a multidisciplinary, holistic approach that addresses technical, environmental, economic, societal and cultural issues.
A River Basin Management Plan is a guiding document that ensures this holistic, global approach to water management: it considers various economic, social and ecological aspects on a specific river basin to guide the development of appropriate sustainable water management measures, strategies and policies.
This document is developed using a “participative approach”, which involves bringing together multiple stakeholders with various viewpoints to determine how water should best be managed. This is done through basin council meetings, other stakeholder meetings, and wider public consultations.
EUWI+ and beneficiaries work with a wide range of responsible bodies, industries, stakeholders and citizens to build partnerships and deliver improvements in sustainable water management.
River Basin Management Plan: 1 planning document, 2 main steps
A RBMP is a planning document that has to be developed first and then updated every 6 years (planning cycle)
Developing this guiding document involves two general steps:
1. Diagnosis: how does the river basin work and what is causing problems or risks?
- General description of the basin, water body identification
- Pressures and impact assessment2
2. Programme of measures: How can we improve it?
- Definition of objectives to improve water quality and quantity and timeline for their achievement
- Design (and then adaption) of monitoring programmes and networks
Public and stakeholder consultations are organised throughout the RBMP development process: they ensure public awareness of working plan outcomes and the joint development of solutions to problems. Public comments and opinions are actively sought via consultation mechanisms (oral such as consultation meetings, or written through surveys and feedbacks).
