Traditions regulating impacts on biodiversity date from ancient times in Armenia. For example, as early as the 4th Century decrees were in place to prevent illegal tree felling. During the Soviet era, a number of laws relating to biodiversity conservation were adopted across all the States. Following independence in 1991, environmental legislation was reviewed in Armenia, with the aim of developing a more comprehensive State policy towards ecological protection and sustainable use.

National legislation relating to biodiversity

In the past decade, a series of new laws have been developed, including regulations relating to protected areas (1991), a land code (1991) and a forest statute (1994). A law relating to the protection of flora and fauna is currently being prepared by the initiative of the Ministry of Nature Protection, and this will be reviewed by NGOs and scientific institutions. Key laws relating to biodiversity are explained in more detail below.

The Forest Statute regulates the protection and use of forest, including the conservation of biodiversity within such areas. The statute stipulates that all the forests are State property, and the government is responsible for their use. However, the economic situation, including private land ownership, is not addressed by these regulations, and thus the development of forest-based enterprises by the private sector or local communities are prohibited. The Forest Statute is currently under revision by the Ministry of Nature Protection. This document is aimed at regulating relations with respect to biodiversity conservation, protection and regeneration.

The Law on Protected Areas outlines procedures for the establishment and management of protected areas and their relationships with other sectors. Under this law, State Reserves, State Conservation Areas, National Parks and Natural Monuments are considered as protected areas. The Law on Protected Areas is based on those developed elsewhere in the former Soviet Union, and does not account for the changing socio-economic and political situation, particularly with regard to land privatisation and the establishment of the private sector. A number of issues need to be clarified under the existing law, particularly the rights and responsibilities of public and private sectors, and the role and participation of local communities and NGOs in protected areas. In addition, clear plans for conservation regimes and opportunities for sustainable use are not included in this law, and the status of different protected areas is not considered. The current system is restrictive and might benefit from a broader range of types of protected areas being recognised.

The Draft Laws on Flora and Fauna are being developed to provide scientifically determined regulations on the conservation, management and regeneration of natural populations of plants and animals. These laws will regulate both the conservation and use of many wild species.

The Law on Nature Protection and Payments for Use of Natural Resources defines payments made for use of biological and natural resources, including who needs to pay, types of payments, levels and methods of payment, and mechanisms to deal with violation of this law. This law was only adopted at the end of 1998, and specific regulatory acts have not yet been developed.

International conventions

During the 1990s Armenia has joined a number of international conventions which relate to biodiversity conservation:

· Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention, 1971). Armenia ratified the Ramsar Convention in 1993, however despite the international importance of Lake Sevan and Lake Arpa, little has been done to implement this convention.
· Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD, Rio de Janeiro, 1992). This convention was ratified by Armenia in 1993, and the first stage of implementation is currently being undertaken including the production of the first National Report earlier in 1999, along with the development of this National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to meet reporting requirements to the convention.
· Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention, Paris, 1972). This convention was ratified in 1993, however there is little available information on its implementation.
· Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD, Paris, 1994). The UNCCD was ratified by Armenia in 1997. A project is currently being developed to meet obligations under this convention.
· Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, Rio de Janeiro, 1992). The UNFCCC was ratified by Armenia in 1993, and production of a Country Study on Climate Change is underway.

In addition, Armenia has signed the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation Decision-Making, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in 1998, but has yet to ratify it. Three further international conventions relate to biodiversity conservation, and Armenia has not yet acceded to these.

· Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, Washington 1973).
· Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention, 1979).
· Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention, 1979).

A range of laws and regulations exist in Armenia which relate to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. However, many of these laws are not effective, and cannot be enforced at present. Several of the laws are now out-dated, and would need revision to be brought into line with current economic and social changes in Armenia, including land privatisation. A number of key laws relating to use of biological resources have still not been adopted (such as the laws on fauna and flora), and there is currently no legislation regulating biosafety or ecotourism. Many of the laws do not correspond to international standards, and there are still a number of international biodiversity-related conventions to which Armenia doe not yet belong.