Karabakh National Park to be established in liberated territories

Azerbaijan is establishing the Karabakh National Park, according to a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev, Report.az reports. The park will cover 88,418.00 hectares of state-owned land: 44,773.79 hectares in Aghdere district, 24,597.80 hectares in Khojaly, 13,514.98 hectares in Kalbajar, 5,314.34 hectares in Shusha and 217.09 hectares in Lachin. The land will be classified as specially protected natural areas.

The decree aims to expand the network of protected natural areas, create new ones in liberated territories, promote the region's ecosystem internationally, restore biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of natural resources. It also seeks to boost socio-economic opportunities and develop ecotourism. The document states that biodiversity in the area was seriously damaged during Armenia's occupation, and rare species listed in Azerbaijan's Red Book and the IUCN Red List were destroyed.

The Cabinet of Ministers has been tasked with resolving issues arising from the decree. Meanwhile, the Basitchay State Nature Reserve in Zangilan district and the Dashalti State Nature Sanctuary in Shusha and Khojaly districts have been restored within the Great Return framework.