Current conclusion of the audit chamber regarding the results of the performance audit of the forest use process in the Ministry of Environment was discussed.

On the February 10 joint session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committees on Financial Credit and Budgetary Issues and Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection took place. Performance results and audit of the Forest Committee of the RA Ministry of Environment and the forest utilization process of “Hayantar” SNCO were discussed. the current conclusion of the chamber is the following:

The Audit Chamber conducted performance results of the forest utilization process implemented in the Republic of Armenia during 2019-2020. It is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the process, within its framework, on the basis of the purposeful and cost effectiveness of using state property, including the funds allocated from the state budget, as well as on the basis of maintaining the principles of economy.

✅ The Minister of Environment, Mr. Hakob Simidyan noted that for the efficient operation of the system, it is necessary to establish Forest Service which means 24-hour protection. He added that in 2022, compared to 2021, the cases of illegal tree felling were reduced by around 49 percent.

There are systemic solutions for all the observations presented by the Audit Chamber, and work is being done to regulate some of them. Minister Mr. Hakob Simidyan noted that 72 inconsistencies were noted by the Audit Chamber’s conclusion and 32 of them were accepted, and in case of 40 opinions were given.

✅ The minister informed that in 2018 the management plans of 17 forest enterprises of “Hayantar” SNCO have expired, adding that only forestry enterprises do not have management plans in the sector. “As a leader, I formulated an issue that if the management plan of any sector are near to their completion, we should start the works at the previous stage, so as not to miss the deadline,” the minister noted.

In 2023, the development of the last 4 forest management plans is planned. In the current year, the management plans of 17 forestry enterprises of Armenia will be summarized.

✅ The minister also informed that the project related to the protection of specially protected nature areas and the sector is being developed in the Forest Committee. Regarding another observation of the Chamber of Accounts, it was noted that the Enterprise-Accounting system has already been implemented in all forest enterprises.

Mr. Vahe Ghalumyan, the chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environmental Protection, was interested in the details of the transition to 24-hour control of forests, and whether it would be possible to increase the salaries of those employees as a result. The minister informed that there will be a significant change in the salary, the passports and standards of the work positions will also be changed. He highlighted the fact of having a qualified service.

In the questions, the MPs referred to the planting of new species of trees in the newly created forests, the work of drawing up forest management plans.

At the end of the meeting, the cooperation of state institutions with the Audit Chamber was highlighted.