Azerbaijan establishes first biosphere reservation in South Caucasus

Azerbaijan starts the project of establishment of Zagatala-Balaken biosphere reservation, Report informs.

Arzu Samadova, Chief Advisor at the Department of Protection of Biological Diversity of the Ministry of Ecology and National Resources, said that the Zagatala-Balaken biosphere reservation, which will be established on the basis of Zagatala State Reserve, will create a condition for the development of the ecotourism, increase of employment in that region, define pathways for people to see the beauties of nature without damaging fauna and flora.

According to her, unlike the Reserve, the biosphere reservation will be open for ecotourists: “Turkey, Russia, Belarus also have biosphere reservations, but Azerbaijan will be the first country in the South Caucasus. Thus, a condition will be created for stimulation of ecological and rural tourism, improvement of the socio-economic welfare of the population. The reservation will have modern infrastructure, be supplied with alternative and renewable energy sources. At the same time, ecologically clean products will be produced here.”

“One of the features of the biosphere reservation is that the organic products manufactured here will be packed with the logo of the reservation and be exempted from customs duties while being exported. Moreover, small-amount of grants are planned to be provided to people engaging in economic activities in the surrounding areas,” she said.

The project, which covers four years, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.