Illustration by Harut Tumaghyan.
Water is a source of renewal, purification and regeneration. It is essential for all forms of life. Humans wouldn’t be able to survive for more than three days without it. Today, over 2 billion people across the world experience high water stress. Today, nearly one-sixth of the world population does not have access to potable water, one-third cannot afford to use water for their household needs, more than 1 billion people use less than six liters of water per day and another 4 million people die each year from water related diseases.
These facts underscore water’s importance across key development issues and highlight the need of placing water and its responsible use at the core of sustainable development. These facts are also concerning for Armenia, considering how the issues of water scarcity and water security will potentially compound the already-complex problems facing the South Caucasus.
In the July 2021 magazine issue, titled “Water,” you can find articles on water security, the challenges of irrigation for Armenian farmers, the threat facing Lake Sevan and how water is the source of ancient Armenian traditions.
The Ups and Downs of Lake Sevan
By Hovhannes Nazaretyan
Lake Sevan is the largest freshwater and alpine lake in the entire South Caucasus. The lake’s artificial outflow which commenced in the early 1930s during the Soviet period resulted in dramatic changes in its water level and continued ecological problems.
Global Water Scarcity and Its Implications for Armenia
By Paruyr Abrahamyan
In this comprehensive piece on water security, Paruyr Abrahamyan provides an in-depth overview of global water scarcity, how this will potentially compound the already-complex problems facing the South Caucasus and makes a number of recommendations.
