Elman Jafarli, Chairman of the “Green World” Environmental Awareness Public Union: “In order to develop ecotourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, a legislative framework must first be created”.
Environmental protection in our territories freed from occupation, compliance with ecotourism standards and proper use of the region’s potential in this regard are important factors in economic reintegration. We present the opinions and suggestions of experts on the subject.
Our interviewer is Elman Jafarli, the chairman of the “Green World” Environmental Awareness Public Union.
-Environmental protection and compliance with ecotourism standards in liberated areas, full and proper use of natural resources and ecotourism potential, prevention of harmful anthropogenic effects are important issues. We would like to know your thoughts on this issue.
-Our country has a mysterious nature that allows for the development of tourism. Azerbaijan’s favorable relief and climatic conditions create favorable conditions for the development of both traditional tourism and ecotourism. There are many mountainous areas in Azerbaijan. Recently, the number of lovers who prefer ecotourism has also increased. There is a group I know, who have enough financial means to rest in any hotel in the country. However, they go to a region every summer, pitch tents in mountainous areas, and spend the night there. He climbs the mountain, rides a bicycle, uses natural village products offered by local people and farmers. This is the main factor that distinguishes ecotourism from mass tourism. Both the natural conditions of the region are preserved and the local people benefit. They serve tourists with their houses and cars, and earn money from this business. As a result, the local economy: the rental market, agriculture, animal husbandry, and poultry are revived, and tourists are fed with ecologically clean products and spend less money, spending more pleasant and more meaningful vacations.
Azerbaijan’s most charming tourism potential Its corners are located in the territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur, which were freed from occupation. It is a pity that these areas were subjected to environmental pollution during the 30-year occupation. Over 1.5 million anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines have been buried in our territories for 30 years. There are also unexploded ordnance on our land. First, our territories must be cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance. After clearing the mines and creating the infrastructure in the region, we can talk about the development of both mass and ecotourism.
Statistics of recent years show that foreign tourists visiting our country are mainly interested in ecological tourism and agro-tourism. Relevant institutions also implement certain projects related to the development of ecotourism.In any case, tourism companies have a great responsibility for the development of ecotourism in regions freed from occupation.
It would be good to create ecological parks, dendrology gardens, and reserves that protect rare plants for the development of ecotourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. High-quality roads are being built in the region. It would be good to build a network of bicycle paths. A large ecological park and bicycle paths are being built in the rebuilt city of Aghdam. These works can be done in other rehabilitated regions.
-Protection of the environment, including water bodies and their bioresources, as well as other natural resources in our liberated territories, is also important in terms of compliance with the principles of “green growth” in our country. In this context, how do you evaluate the measures implemented in our country, including in the liberated areas?
– The construction works carried out within the framework of the Great Return Project and in Karabakh and East Zangezur are based on green technologies. These days we visited Agalı settlement of Zangilan region. I should mention that Agali is the first smart village project in the country. Sewage system is built with different technology. In addition to the sewage line that discharges household waste water, there is a separate line that discharges oil water. Rainwater is collected, recycled and used for irrigation. Heating and lighting of houses is based on renewable energy. A separate charging point for electric cars has even been created in Agalı. I believe that this practice should be applied in other regions as well.
-Using the potential of ecotourism by following the principles of “green growth” and thereby contributing to the effective reintegration of those areas is also profitable from an economic point of view. It is also reported that the touristic potential of that region is high. From this point of view, what steps should be taken to develop ecotourism in those areas?
– I think that a legislative framework should be created for the development of ecotourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Allotment of land should be allocated to the population living in the area, and the sale of land to businessmen who do not live in the area should be prohibited. If a foreign businessman can buy land in the region and build a tourist facility, hotel, restaurant, then the development of local ecotourism will not be possible. Ecotourism must first be calculated for the economic benefit of the local population. The peasants and farmers settled there should offer their services and products to the tourists.
-Education of the population relocated to the regions, ecotourism enthusiasts, amateur fishermen and other groups in terms of the environment and ecotourism is the need of the day. What actions are needed in this direction? In general, what should be the awareness measures? What fines can be imposed?
-After September 19, 2023, the laws of Azerbaijan will work throughout the country. People who live permanently in Karabakh and East Zangezur and live temporarily due to official work should know that our natural resources and bioresources are rich, but not inexhaustible. This is the main difference between ecotourism and mass tourism. Using bioresources without harming nature. In my opinion, it is very important to raise awareness among the people living in the region. It is better that civil society activists go to those regions and provide mobile services to people.let them conduct enlightening talks and conduct tree-planting campaigns. At the same time, it is necessary to impose penalties on those who hunt illegally and harm biodiversity.
-Measures related to the protection of bioresources and living things in water bodies in the liberated areas are also important. What measures can be taken to prevent illegal hunting and poaching?
-Recently, I came across a video on social networks. The videos were related to illegal fishing and off-season fishing by people working and settling in Karabakh as part of the Great Return Project. I believe that such situations should be prevented. Our citizens who work in minefields under risky conditions show an example of selflessness. But the laws are valid in all areas of the country. Ecodiversity in the region cannot be damaged on such roads. It would be good to strengthen control in the area by relevant institutions.
The article was prepared within the framework of the “Ecotourism standards in liberated areas” project implemented by the Public Union for Integration into the Globalized World with the financial support of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The position of the author or the interviewee and the position of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations may not correspond.