Tourism expert Rahman Guliyev: “In our territories freed from occupation, the areas inhabited by natural creatures should be turned into reserves and protected like other reserves.”
“Ecotourism will become the trendiest type of tourism in the next ten years”
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 establishment of tourism, especially ecotourism standards in the region urgent. The opinions and suggestions of experts and scientists on the subject are of interest to our society.
This time our interviewer is tourism expert Rahman Guliyev.
– 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 in the liberated areas?
– Considering the richness of the fauna and flora of Karabakh, our lands can be called the lungs of the Caucasus. Up to 25 percent of the territory of our country, which was kept under occupation for many years and was a victim of Armenian vandalism, was suitable for agriculture and tourism. We must take advantage of the opportunity that has arisen in the coming years. We should take advantage of all opportunities, and in particular, along with the measures taken, we should carry out targeted incentives for the protection of ecology. Necessary measures and projects should be implemented to increase the forest cover and restore biodiversity in Karabakh. At the same time, in order to ensure the ecological balance, a mechanism should be developed to attract the useless land areas to use. Taking into account that the composition of the natural springs in Karabakh is important and therapeutic for the human body, it is necessary to take preventive measures to effectively use water resources. With this, it will be possible to support the development of our economy from this wealth.
– 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?
– After the contaminated areas in the liberated regions are fully cleaned, the great exodus will become even more massive. At the same time, the flow of tourists will intensify after the creation of tourist complexes. Despite the gradual settlement, we have to take the population density as 3. We need to create mechanisms that can meet the needs of 2050. The installation of existing treatment facilities for the treatment of domestic waste water in the areas freed from occupation must be mandatory. We can protect the ground layer from pollution by creating high-capacity cleaning facilities. Sewerage lines in newly built villages and cities should be mapped so that the water basins in those areas do not become unusable as a result. One of the ways to prevent water pollution is to reduce water consumption. In addition, using natural fertilizers instead of chemicals used in agriculture will be one of the ways to prevent environmental and water pollution.
– What are the dangers and threats of “Metsamor” to the Karabakh region and to the ecological situation of the region in general?
– I think that at a time when the world is showing solidarity to solve environmental problems, when COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan, this problem will be sufficiently lit. So far, the bitter experience we have seen with nuclear accidents should encourage us to approach the issue even more objectively. The territory of Armenia is a seismic area, this danger can happen at any time. Even before that great danger, the losses of Metsamor continue. From this point of view, the operation of Metsamor NPP carries a real risk and seriously endangers the countries of the region.
– It is economically profitable to take advantage of the potential of ecotourism by following the principles of “Green Growth” and thereby contribute to the effective reintegration of those areas. . 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?
– Tourism is a platform for the integration of peoples of the world. In this regard, tourist exchange is a targeted mechanism for the promotion of countries. A tourist is also a mirror of his country. Now, when people travel to countries, it is not the city of that country, but the nature that is more memorable. Fauna and flora. It is impossible to imagine life without them. If we have to disturb this natural harmony, we will drag our humanity into the abyss. In the coming decades, everyone will have to pay much more for a night in a tent than in a city hotel. That is why we must give breath to the thirsty deserts. In the next ten years, ecotourism will become the trendiest type of tourism.
– 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?
– Unequivocally, in order to further enrich our nature, we must put strict restrictions on all kinds of hunting. In particular, in our territories freed from occupation, the areas inhabited by natural creatures should be made into reserves and protected as other reserves. As a result of illegal Armenian armed groups mining our territories for 30 years, living people fell into mines and perished en masse. During the discharge of dirty water into the water basins, valuable fish species have become extinct. I believe that we should create new basins and, again, in accordance with the environment, we should create conditions for the introduction and reproduction of those valuable species of balgi to the rivers and basins. Of course, this can be achieved more widely by involving investors in these projects.
– 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 tools?
– Informational and educational videos should be prepared in this regard, and they should be strongly promoted on local television and in teaching materials in secondary schools. Especially in secondary and higher schools, projects with the initiative to show concern for fauna and flora should be carried out. One of the main issues is to support the creation of an open and mobile market, especially for farmers operating in our territories freed from occupation, so that the social welfare of the peasants improves. The well-being of a resident of a remote village will be a targeted advertisement for other citizens, and interest and respect for agriculture will increase.
The article was prepared within the framework of the “Ecotourism standards in liberated areas” project implemented by the Public Union of Integration to 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 be consistent.