Armenian Law on Plant World
The Republic of Armenia Law on Flora serves as the fundamental legal framework for the conservation, protection, and reproduction of the country's natural plant diversity. Unlike municipal codes that focus on planted ornamental greenery, this law extends federal protection to natural ecosystems and habitats. It explicitly mandates the strict protection of species listed in the Red Book of Armenia, prohibiting any activity that leads to their reduction or the degradation of their growing conditions, regardless of land ownership.
For Yerevan's urban planning, this law provides a critical and often underutilized legal shield for the semi-desert and steppe ecosystems remaining within city limits. Developers and city officials frequently classify these biodiverse areas as abandoned wastelands to justify clearing them for construction. By invoking the Law on Flora, we can demand mandatory environmental impact assessments for these zones, forcing the municipality to recognize native wildflowers and ground cover as protected biological assets rather than obstacles to development.