Azerbaijan > Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan

A new form of tourism, ecotourism has been addressed in National Programme on Environmentally Sustainable Social - Economic Development which has been prepared by Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this document the development and management of tourism infrastructure based on a minimum negative impact on the environment and sustainable development principles.
It is hardly possible to solve all the problems linked to the creation of National Parks by efforts of government bodies only. It is important that all layers of the society take part in this undertaking. One of the priorities in the involvement of public in this process is the increase in environmental awareness and development of personal attitude to the issue of nature conservation. The main purpose of the development of ecotourism in national parks is to bring awareness about environmental problems by demonstrating to public rare and unique representatives of landscapes, flora and fauna.
Assistance from the government, international organizations and public is presupposed at the very initial stage of the national park’s development. Nevertheless, in the nearest future we expect that national parks will evolve into a self-sufficient system enabling local communities to meet their livelihood needs trough providing products representing natural features of the geographical area without causing any harm to the environment as well as through offering the opportunity and services to get familiar with nature while maintaining it’s usual mode of existence and development.

Zagatala state nature reserve

• Size: 23 884 ha
• Founded:December 4, 1929
• District:Zagatala and Balakan
• Conservation values: Forests, sub alpine and alpine meadows, high rocks
• Important species: Yew tree, apple, ash tree, birch, alder, cherry, pear, lammergeier, golden eagle, long-eared owl, dagestanian tur, chamois, deer, roe deer, brown bear, fox, badger, lynx, black vulture

Shirvan state nature reserve

• Size: 6232 ha
• Founded: 1969
• District: Salyan and Neftchala
• Important species: Goitred gazelle,migratory birds, flamingo