Tourism expert Ruslan Guliyev: “The main issue is that the Armenian vandalism against the country’s environment, ecotourism potential, flora and fauna should be resolved at the international and legal level.”
Protection of the environment in our liberated territories, compliance with ecotourism standards and proper use of the region’s potential in this regard are important factors in economic reintegration. The massive return of the population to our liberated territories, the creation of settlements and modern infrastructure there has returned Karabakh to our society. However, the mass settlement of these areas, at the same time, the growing international interest in Karabakh, and the desire to travel by foreign tourists make the setting of tourism, especially ecotourism standards, urgent in the region.
The opinions and suggestions of experts and scientists on the subject are of interest to our society.
This time our interviewer on the subject is Ruslan Guliyev, an expert on tourism.
– Protecting 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 the liberated areas?
– Azerbaijan has a favorable business environment for both local and foreign investments. While the initial investments in the investment programs carried out in our country are mostly focused on the oil and gas sector, recently foreign direct investments in the field of renewable energy have been increasing. In “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities of Socio-Economic Development”, the issue of expanding “green energy” production in our country occupies an important place. The goal is to increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy production capacity to 24 percent in 2025 and 30 percent in 2030. The great potential for the production of renewable energy in Azerbaijan creates the basis for the implementation of important projects in this field. A 240 MW Wind Power Station is already being built in Azerbaijan by the “ACWA Power” company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 10,000 square kilometers of the economic regions of Karabakh and East Zangezur, which were freed from occupation 4 years ago, were declared a “green energy” zone. There are certain plans to establish solar and wind power plants in the area. Several hydroelectric power plants have been built and are operating. A 240 megawatt power plant will be built in the territory of Jabrayil district, which was freed from occupation, together with the BP company. These projects lay the foundation for the development of Azerbaijan as a country of “green development” and supplier of “green energy”, as well as becoming one of the main countries in the export of green energy to Europe.
– Within the framework of the great return, people will settle more densely in the territories freed from occupation. This increases the possibility of relatively more pollution of water bodies. In this sense, the education of the population relocated to the regions, ecotourism enthusiasts, amateur fishermen and other groups in terms of environment and ecotourism is the need of the day. What actions are needed in this direction? Are studies being conducted in this direction?
– Sənayenin fəaliyyəti zamanı təbiətə geri qaytarılması mümkün olmayan məhsullardan istifadənin azaldılması və sıfra endirilməsi məqsədi ilə addımların atılması çox vacibdir. Elektrik enerjisindən səmərəli istifadənin təşkil edilməsi və sudan qənaətlə istifadə təşviq edilməli və hotel idarəetməsində nümayiş olunmalıdır. Sahibkarlar tərəfindən “dayanıqlı turizm” prinsiplərinin tətbiqi üzrə fəaliyyətlərin mənimsənilməsi və “yaşıl” təşəbbüslərin reallaşdırılması çox vacibdir. Bunun üçün istixana qazlarının buraxılmasına səbəb olan fəaliyyətlər azaldılmalı və dayanıqlı idarəetmə sisteminin qurulması üzrə addımlar atılmalıdır. Hotel sənayesi yaşıl fəaliyyətə keçmək üçün Dünya Turizm və Səyahət Şurası tərəfindən tətbiq edilən və Azərbaycan Turizm Bürosunun əsas rəsmi tərəfdaşı olduğu Hotel Dayanıqlılıq Əsasları təşəbbüsünə qoşula bilər. Hotel Dayanıqlılıq Əsasları Təşəbbüsü 3 əsas sahə – Səmərəlilik, Planet və İnsanlar üzrə qruplaşdırılan 12 meyar üzrə uyğun fəaliyyəti əhatə edir. Hotellər hər bir meyar ilə tanış olmalı və hər bir meyar üzrə uyğun fəaliyyətlər həyata keçirməlidir.
– What are the dangers and threats of “Metsamor” to the Karabakh region and the ecological situation of the region in general?
– First of all, I want to note that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant was considered as a source of danger at various times during the Soviet era. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, this issue remained a very serious issue. Because mobilization of resources, gradual transition to new technologies and personnel issues have always been a problem in a country that is weakening from an economic point of view. The dangers and threats of Metsamor remain. In international organizations, it has been expressed in different ways. When we were children, we heard from our elders that they deliberately poisoned the water of Okchuchay, Hekarichay, the part of the Araz river that flows from Mehri district, with various wastes. This is a serious threat to the biosphere, people and the Caspian Sea. In this regard, it is necessary to direct the attention of international organizations to this direction in some form. Joint efforts of regional countries are also very important.
– Measures related to the protection of bioresources and living things in water basins are also important in the liberated areas. What measures can be taken to prevent illegal hunting and poaching? What kind of suggestions do you have?
– The restoration and construction works carried out in Karabakh recently, the programs and documents directed by the state in this field should be systematically implemented. In fact, there is no danger of illegal hunting and poaching in that region. Adequate steps are taken by the state to enrich its flora and fauna. The main issue is that the actions of Armenian vandalism against the country’s environment, ecotourism potential, flora and fauna should be resolved at the international and legal level. Because the Armenians did not just occupy our lands, they caused serious damage to the flora and fauna, people’s personal property and property.
– What social media projects can be implemented in terms of education, promotion and information for the main audience and target groups in this regard? How should propaganda be built using new media?
– Innovative and creative projects by NGOs and various organizations should be motivated to educate the main audience and target groups. This issue should be kept in the center of attention. Propaganda in new media should be systematic. That is, it should not be of a campaign nature. I think there should be a public condemnation of these issues. Recently, the intensification of visits to East Zangezur and Karabakh makes this issue very urgent, and this issue should be kept in the center of attention.
I would like to add one more thing. Our upcoming Food Waste Guide offers practical solutions for restaurants to reduce food waste. The guide is also supported by the Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The publication of this guide in Azerbaijan will make a significant contribution to the restaurant industry and help prevent food waste. We know that food waste is a global problem and Azerbaijan is not exempt from this problem. According to the FAO, about one-third of the food produced in the world is wasted every year. This situation is a great loss both economically and ecologically.
Countries that pay attention to nature and the environment are strengthening waste recycling projects. Figures show that smart waste management will cost $3.14 billion by 2025. South Korea recycles 60.8% of its waste, Germany 47.8%, Slovenia 45%, and Turkey only 11%. Food waste is treated in the right ways and becomes a valuable resource that ensures environmental protection and agricultural sustainability.
Our other project to prevent food waste is the Fertilizer Production System. If that system is established:
Waste processed/transformed at the source will not have requirements such as storage, burial, incineration, decomposition, transfer areas, logistics costs, and physical labor. and it will be possible to convert waste at the source.
The conversion of waste into high-quality organic fertilizer will be ensured.
In the production of fertilizer, raw materials are met from waste, there is no need to import and raw materials that can be obtained at minimum cost creates. With this system, our country can largely prevent food waste and reduce environmental damage.
This interview was prepared within the framework of the project (the name of the project can be mentioned) implemented with the financial assistance of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The opinions and considerations reflected in this article belong to the author and may not reflect the official position of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.