State Reserves of Azerbaijan
Encyclopedia
State Reserves of Azerbaijan refers to the state reserves in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, which preserve the fauna
Fauna of Azerbaijan
Fauna of Azerbaijan or Animal Kingdom of Azerbaijan refers to the diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground or water area in Azerbaijan....
, flora
Flora of Azerbaijan
Flora of Azerbaijan or Vegetation of Azerbaijan refers to the plants, trees, flowers which can be found in Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan has a very rich flora, more than 4,500 species of higher plants have been registed in the country. Due the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the...
and their ecosystems.
State Reserves bear the status of governmental establishments aimed at environmental protection and scientific researches. They are particularly designed for the protection of typical and rare natural complexes and studying of natural processes and phenomena. The utilization of the lands of State natural reserves, as well as animals and plants, found within their boundaries for industrial purposes is prohibited by the law. http://www.ecotourism.aznet.org/naturalobjects/3.html Acitivities in this sector are regulated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (Azerbaijan)
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulation of the activities in the country relating to ecology, environmental protection and use of natural resources of Azerbaijan...
.
In total more than 2,5% of Azerbaijan is under protection by the government as state reserve.
State Reserves
There are 15 state natural parks in Azerbaijan to preserve and protect the faunaFauna of Azerbaijan
Fauna of Azerbaijan or Animal Kingdom of Azerbaijan refers to the diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground or water area in Azerbaijan....
, flora and their ecosystems. See below for the list:
- Basut-Chay State ReserveBasut-Chay State ReserveBasut-Chay State Reserve or Besitchay State Reserve is protected area of Azerbaijan, near the border with Armenia. It was established as a 107 hectare reserve in 1974 for preserving and protecting the rare Oriental plane-tree. The area of the reserve was slightly reduced by 10 hectares in October...
- Eldar Pine State ReserveEldar Pine State ReserveEldar Pine State Reserve is a state reserve in Azerbaijan. It was established on the area of 16.86 km² of Samuh administrative region by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic December 16th, 2004....
- Gara-Yaz State ReserveGara-Yaz State ReserveGara-Yaz State Reserve or Qarayazy State Reserve was established on the area of 48.55 km² in 1978 for protecting and restoring of riparian woodlands around the Kur. It mainly protects rare and endangered tugai ecological systems, occupying the lands in the mid stream of the Kur. Riparian...
- Gizil-Agach State ReserveGizil-Agach State ReserveGhizil-Agaj State Reserve, meaning golden forest, was established on an area of 884 km² south-west of the Caspian Sea shore for the purpose of protecting, creating conditions for wintering and nesting of migrant, swamp and wild birds in 1929....
- Gobustan State ReserveGobustan State ReserveGobustan National Park officially Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is a hill and mountain site occupying the southeast ending of the Big Caucasian Ridge, mainly in the basin of Jeyrankechmaz River, between the rivers Pirsagat and Sumgait...
- Ilisu State ReserveIlisu State ReserveIlisu State Reserve was established on the area of 93 km² in 1987. It aims to protect natural complexes of southern slopes of Major Caucasus, to preserve rare and endangered flora and fauna, to restore forests and prevent erosion of soil and flood. The reserve accounts for 500 plant species with...
- Ismailli State ReserveIsmailli State ReserveIsmailli State Reserve or Ismayilly State Reserve was established on the area of 57.78 km² in 1981 for preservation and protection of natural complexes, occupying the north part of southern slope of Major Caucasus...
- Pirgulu State ReservePirgulu State ReservePirgulu State Reserve was established on the area of 15.21 km² in 1968 for protecting mountain forests, herbage of different kinds, fertile soil, expanding forest areas, preventing air pollution that has a negative impact on astroclimate. The flora of the reserve includes over 60 species...
- Shahbuz State ReserveShahbuz State ReserveShakhbuz State Reserve was created on the area of 31.39 km² of Shakhbuz administrative district of Nakhchivan by a decree of President of Azerbaijan on June 16, 2003. The area of Batabat lake is mainly surrounded by grassland. Medicinal herbs, oak trees etc. dominate the flora of the area...
- Shirvan State ReserveShirvan State ReserveShirvan State Reserve was established on the area of 177.45 km² of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds. The area of the reserve was expanded to 258 km² in 1982. Water reserves account for 35 km² of the area. The...
- Shusha State Historical and Architectural ReserveShusha State Historical and Architectural ReserveShusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve is an Azerbaijani state reserve and is on the Azeri tentative list of future World Heritage Site located in Shusha district of Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.- Historical overview :...
- Turian-Chay State ReserveTurian-Chay State ReserveTurian-Chay State Reserve or Turyanchay State Reserve was established on the area of 126.3 square kilometres in 1958 for the purposes of protection and restoration of arid forest complexes in Bozdagh and prevention of erosion processes in the mountainous slopes. The reserve area was expanded to 225...
- Qaragol State Reserve
- Zagatala State ReserveZagatala State ReserveZagatala State Reserve was established on the area of 252 km² on of Zagatala and Balakan districts in the central part of southern slopes of the Caucasus; in Azerbaijan....
- Zakatala State ReserveZakatala State ReserveThe reserve of Zakatala, located in the north of Azerbaijan, was created in 1929. It consists of an area of 25.218 ha on the southern slopes of the Caucasus mountains.- Wildlife :...
Basut-Chay State Reserve
Basut-Chay State Reserve was established on the area of 1.07 km² in 1974 for preserving and protecting the rare Oriental plane-tree. The reserve covers the area around the Basut-Chay of the southeastern part of Minor Caucasus.Plane-trees
The plane-trees make up 93.5% of Basut-Chay State Reserve area. In average, plane-trees live for 170 years. However, one can come across the plane-trees 1200–1500 years of age, 50 meters in height and 4 meters in diameter.The Basut-Chay State Reserve is under the control of de-factoNagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
forces and does not operate at present.
Eldar Pine State Reserve
The Eldar Pine State Reserve was established on the area of 16.86 km² of Samuh administrative region by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic December 16, 2004. The reserve is mainly designed for preserving and protecting of rare and endemic species of Eldar Pine tree.In 1967 the reserve (with the area of 3.92 km² was transformed into the branch of Goy-Gol State Reserve.
Gara-Yaz State Reserve
Gara-Yaz State Reserve was established on the area of 48.55 km² in 1978 for protecting and restoring of riparian woodlands around the Kur. It mainly protects rare and endangered tugai ecological systems, occupying the lands in the mid stream of the Kur. Riparian woodlands includes such types of trees as white poplar, oak, alder-tree and white acacia. Among sharp-clawed animals the most widely spread are wild boar and deer, among birds; pheasant, thrush, dove, etc.The area of Gara-Yaz State Reserve was expanded by 48.03 km² up to 96.58 km² on June 2, 2003.
Gizil-Agach State Reserve
Gizil-Agach State Reserve was established on the area of 884 km² south-west of the Caspian Sea shore for the purpose of protecting, creating conditions for wintering and nesting of migrant, swamp and wild birds in 1929.The reserve was included of the list of UNESCO Ramseur convention "On internationally important swampy areas as the birds' residing places". The most species of birds included into the Red Book of Azerbaijan are found in the reserve and adjacent areas. The reserve accounts for 248 species of birds. Such mammals as wild boar, wolf, wild cat, badger, sable, fox, etc. populate this reserve. There are 54 fish species in the water basins of this reserve.
Gobustan State Reserve
Gobustan State Reserve was established in 1966 when the region was declared as a national historical landmark of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
in an attempt to preserve the ancient carvings, mud volcanoes and gas-stones in the region.
Gobustan State Reserve is very rich in archeological monuments, the reserve has more than 600,000 rock paintings, which depict primitive men, animals, battle-pieces, ritual dances, bullfights, boats with armed oarsmen, warriors with lances in their hands, camel caravans, pictures of sun and stars, on the average dating back to 5,000-20,000 years.
Mud volcanoes
It's estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes sit Gobustan, AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
and the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
.http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai112_folder/112_articles/112_mud_volcano.html
Many geologists as well as locals and international mud tourists trek to such places as the Firuz Crater, Gobustan, Salyan
Salyan
Salyan is a raion of Azerbaijan. Its capital is Salyan. It lays adjacent to the Kura River. To the north are several productive oilfields operated by the Salyan Oil company. It also comprises most of the Shirvan National Park....
and end up happily covered in mud which is thought to have medicinal qualities.http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=39793 In 2001 one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 meters high. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1626310.stm
Gaval Dash
The Gaval Dash is a natural musical stone which can only be found in Gobustan, AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. Among the stone books there are a big flat stone formed out of 3 supports. Suffice it to touch the object with a small stone, melodious sounds come from it. The stone is called Gaval Dash, the sound can be compared with a tambourine. The Gaval Dash have been vormed due the unqiue climate, oil and gas which can be found in the region of Azerbaijan.
Today Gobustan is the most populair state reserve and is an invaluable treasure-house of Azerbaijan.
Ilisu State Reserve
Ilisu State Reserve was established on the area of 93 km² in 1987. It aims to protect natural complexes of southern slopes of Major Caucasus, to preserve rare and endangered floraFlora of Azerbaijan
Flora of Azerbaijan or Vegetation of Azerbaijan refers to the plants, trees, flowers which can be found in Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan has a very rich flora, more than 4,500 species of higher plants have been registed in the country. Due the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the...
and fauna
Fauna of Azerbaijan
Fauna of Azerbaijan or Animal Kingdom of Azerbaijan refers to the diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground or water area in Azerbaijan....
, to restore forests and prevent erosion of soil and flood. The reserve accounts for 500 plant species with nearly 60 species of endemic ones. One can come across such animals as roe deer, mountain buffalo, wild boar, squirrel, chamois, etc.
The territory of Ilisu State Reserve was expanded up to 173.816 km² in March 2003.
Ismailli State Reserve
Ismailli State Reserve was established on the area of 57.78 km² in 1981 for preservation and protection of natural complexes, occupying the north part of southern slope of Major Caucasus.The area of the reserve was expanded by 109.6 km² and brought to 167 km² in June 2003.
Forests are mainly formed by such tree types as beech, hornbeam and oak, the small number of birch-tree, cud, lime-tree, etc.
Among them are chestnut-leaved oak and horehound oak of the Tertiary period were included into the Red Book of Azerbaijan. The reserve accounts for nearly 170 animal species. 104 bird species of 13 orders are found in this reserve. Such mammals as brown bear, wild cat, lynx, Caucasian dear, roe dear, chamois, Caucasian goat, etc. populate the reserve.
Pirgulu State Reserve
Pirgulu State Reserve was established on the area of 15.21 km² in 1968 for protecting mountain forests, herbage of different kinds, fertile soil, expanding forest areas, preventing air pollution that has a negative impact on astroclimate. The flora of the reserve includes over 60 species. One can come across such mammals as brown bear, wolf, forest cat, lynx, weasel, wild boar, roe deer, etc.The area of Pirgulu State Reserve was expanded by 27.53 km² and reached 42.74 km² in 2003.
Shahbuz State Reserve
Shahbuz State Reserve was created on the area of 31.39 km² of Shahbuz administrative district of Nakhchivan (autonomous republic of Azerbaijan) by a decree of President of Azerbaijan on June 16, 2003. The area of Batabat lake is mainly surrounded by grassland. Medicinal herbs, oak trees etc. dominate the flora of the area. The most widely-spread animals are partridge, broad-tailed nightingale, among mammals-brown bear, badger, lynx, etc.It was established in June 2003 for the purpose of protecting rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
Shirvan State Reserve
Shirvan State Reserve was established on the area of 177.45 km² of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds. The area of the reserve was expanded to 258 km² in 1982. Water reserves account for 35,000 m² of the area.The reserves is characterized by rich ornithological fauna
Fauna of Azerbaijan
Fauna of Azerbaijan or Animal Kingdom of Azerbaijan refers to the diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground or water area in Azerbaijan....
. Rare and valuable birds nest and winter in the swampy areas. The largest part of the reserve was transferred to the Shirvan National Park
Shirvan National Park
Shirvan National Park — is a national park of Azerbaijan. It was established by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, on July 5, 2003 within the territory of Salyan Rayon and Neftçala Rayon administrative districts. Its surface area is ....
in 2003 and the area of the reserve currently totals 62.32 km².
Shirvan State Reserve composed 62.32 km².
Turian-Chay State Reserve
Turian-Chay State Reserve was established on the area of 126.3 km² in 1958 for the purposes of protection and restoration of arid forest complexes in Bozdagh and prevention of erosion processes in the mountainous slopes.The reserve area was expanded to 225 km² in January 2003. Three types of juniper (flavor, red and polycarpous), Georgian oak, cud, pomegranate, etc., can be found in the reserve. It also has 24 species of mammals, 112 birds, 20 reptiles and 3 Amphibians.
Gara-Gel State Reserve
Gara-Gel State Reserve was established on the area of 2.4 km² in 1987 for protection and preservation of rare ecological system of the lake of glacial origin and natural complexes surrounding the water basin. The lake feeds mainly from rains and spring water.The flora
Flora of Azerbaijan
Flora of Azerbaijan or Vegetation of Azerbaijan refers to the plants, trees, flowers which can be found in Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan has a very rich flora, more than 4,500 species of higher plants have been registed in the country. Due the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the...
of the reserve comprises plants of 278 races, 68 breeds and over 100 species. The trout was brought to the lake in 1967.
Gara-Gel State Reserve is occupied by Armenian forces and does not operate at present.
Zagatala State Reserve
Zagatala State Reserve was established on the area of 252 km² on of Zagatala and Balakan districts in the central part of southern slopes of the CaucasusCaucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
; in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
.
The territory of the reserve has been altered for several times and gradually reached 238 km². The reserve aims to protect Sub-Alpine plants of southern slopes of the Major Caucasus and the natural complexes of Alpine and nival zones. The reserve is famous for such ancient plants as rhododendron, cherry-laurel, blackberry, maple, fern, etc. It also has a rich fauna, that includes among others the Caucasian mountain buffalo, fox, forest cat, lynx, squirrel, weasel, etc. are found in this reserve.
In 2005-2006 there were suggestions to expand the reserve territory of the Zagatala State Reserve. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources had announced that they had confirmed to expand Zagatala State Reserve in 2007.
Expansions
Azerbaijan has taken drastic measures to improve the ecology of the country, more than 10 new reserves were created in order to protect and preserve the nature. here below is a list of the expanded reserves with the given expanded area:- The area of Ilisu State ReserveIlisu State ReserveIlisu State Reserve was established on the area of 93 km² in 1987. It aims to protect natural complexes of southern slopes of Major Caucasus, to preserve rare and endangered flora and fauna, to restore forests and prevent erosion of soil and flood. The reserve accounts for 500 plant species with...
was expanded by 93 km² up to 173.816 km² in 2003. - The area of Ismailli State ReserveIsmailli State ReserveIsmailli State Reserve or Ismayilly State Reserve was established on the area of 57.78 km² in 1981 for preservation and protection of natural complexes, occupying the north part of southern slope of Major Caucasus...
was expanded by 109.6 km² and brought to 167 km² in 2003. - The area of Gara-Yaz State ReserveGara-Yaz State ReserveGara-Yaz State Reserve or Qarayazy State Reserve was established on the area of 48.55 km² in 1978 for protecting and restoring of riparian woodlands around the Kur. It mainly protects rare and endangered tugai ecological systems, occupying the lands in the mid stream of the Kur. Riparian...
was expanded by 48.03 km² up to 96.58 km² in 2003. - The area of Pirgulu State ReservePirgulu State ReservePirgulu State Reserve was established on the area of 15.21 km² in 1968 for protecting mountain forests, herbage of different kinds, fertile soil, expanding forest areas, preventing air pollution that has a negative impact on astroclimate. The flora of the reserve includes over 60 species...
was expanded by 27.53 km² and reached 42.74 km² in 2003.
Future expansions
It has been confirmed that Zagatala State ReserveZagatala State Reserve
Zagatala State Reserve was established on the area of 252 km² on of Zagatala and Balakan districts in the central part of southern slopes of the Caucasus; in Azerbaijan....
will be expanded in 2007, so far it is the only reserve to be expanded in 2007.
See also
- Nature of AzerbaijanNature of AzerbaijanThe environment of Azerbaijan includes a wide diversity of climates, animals, plants, and habitats.-National protection:Due to the tapping of oil reserves in the early 20th century, Azerbaijan has had sufficient resources to develop an industrial sector, which in turn led to a significant increase...
- National Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of Azerbaijan refers to the situation and the listing of national parks in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The national parks of Azerbaijan are run by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The first national park that was established in Azerbaijan, is the Zangezur National Park...
- State Game Reserves of Azerbaijan