Vugar Dargahov, co-founder of the Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association: “The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources should strengthen the control of rivers in the liberated areas so that people do not cut off the roots of trout with “tok” and other illegal means.”
Protection of the environment in the liberated areas, compliance with ecotourism standards and proper use of the region’s potential in this regard are considered 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.
Our interviewee is Vugar Dargahov, associate professor of the Department of Economic-Political Geography and Tourism of Foreign Countries of Baku State University (BSU), co-founder of the Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association.
– 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?
– The liberated areas have their own natural characteristics. These lands have unique microclimatic conditions, as well as flora and fauna, geological geomorphological structure. In addition, the region has rich hydrological resources and a dense river network. Although the region has been subjected to vandalism, it has the characteristics of self-recovery. In addition, favorable natural geographical conditions of the region can allow the self-recovery to be completed faster. In the region, there are unique mineral and thermal water sources in various natural monuments selected for their natural geographical features. In addition, there is a rare red leaf oak tree in Lachin. In general, the region has a very rich forest landscape. This is most evident in Kalbajar, the newly restored Aghdara district of Lachin, as well as Khojavand area, around Shusha. Although the forest landscape was subjected to vandalism, it managed to preserve itself. We saw all this clearly during our recent visits to the region. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources also implements various measures here. First of all, the evaluation of those resources is carried out, the monitoring of the region is carried out. After the monitoring is completed, special attention will be paid to the protection of all natural ecological conditions in the region. Probably, it will be planned to create national parks in a large area. These measures will allow protection of natural resources and natural ecological conditions in the areas.
– Can national parks accelerate the development of ecotourism? In general, which areas can be turned into a national park or reserve?
– The creation of national parks can create conditions for people to use them for ecotourism in the future. From this point of view, Kalbajar is one of the most interesting and selected areas in the region. The territory of large and small lakes of this region is selected in this sense. In addition, Zulfugarlı village and its surrounding areas, Zar village, and Istisun can be mentioned. Also, Shusha itself, the forests around Turshsu, Dashalti forests, and the remnants of Topkhana forests can also be added to this list. Also, Hadrut settlement and its surroundings, Tugh, Taglar, Azikh are also on this list.
Lachin, besides Kalbajar, also has potential. The Minkend area of Lachin, including the special oak forests in this region, the areas around Bartaz and Karagöl in Zangila have richer natural features. These factors will be taken into account in the creation of large national parks. Probably, the State Tourism Agency is already planning to create tourist recreation zones in the region. A state historical cultural reserve can be established in Tugh village in Kalbajar. In short, work is underway to create national parks. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on its status in 2024 to restore the Daşaltı ban. In the future, it is also possible to restore Lachin-Gubadli, Dashalti, Arazboyu sanctuaries here, especially in Lachin. Restoration of Karagöl and Basitchay state nature reserves is one of the important steps in this direction. In the future, when planning national parks, it is possible to create geological parks, biosphere parks or reserves.
– It is profitable from the economic point of view 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. In this regard, what steps should be taken to develop ecotourism in those areas?
– The principle of green growth in the region should be based primarily on environmental protection. Because today massive settlement works are being carried out in the region. In addition to settlement works, these lands are widely used as summer pastures after being freed from occupation. In this regard, the creation of national parks or special protection zones in the region is essential to take into account the ecological burden of the area in order to use the environment effectively. Ecological loading should be considered, especially in summer pastures. Loading should be adjusted according to the norm in these pastures. There is also the issue of protection of fish and fauna species in rivers in the region. This is also an important issue. One of the important requirements here is the formation and protection of these areas in the form of national parks for the protection of the existing fauna. It is important that the tourist recreation zones that will be created here in the future consist primarily of recreation areas based on nature and the environment. In this case, it can allow the use of the touristic potential of that region and also create better conditions for environmental protection in the region. There are different experiences here. For example, there are international experiences that can be used. In the matter of national parks, we can benefit from the experiences of both Turkey and Canada. National parks of these areas, including planned settlements, should be integrated into nature. That is, it is important to create a form that is more adapted to nature without changing it. For example, Lachin. Restoration works were carried out in the city without changing its nature. This process should be noted as a positive thing. National parks should be areas completely closed to tourists, as in the Turkish practice of protected areas. It should be used for conducting scientific-research works and certain monitoring works, and at the same time, tourist trails and designated tourist routes can be planned in or around the territory of national parks. It is possible to do this more efficiently within tourism recreation zones. Because here the assessment of the existing potential of the area can be prioritized and appropriate tourism infrastructure is built according to the potential. Carrying out this infrastructure in accordance with the level of environmental load of that area would allow to bring additional income and at the same time to protect the natural conditions of this area.
-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?
– Ensuring a large return to the territories freed from occupation can lead to the development of ecotourism, tourism in general, which is one of the main priority areas of the region in the future. Because the region has favorable conditions for the development of both ethno-cultural and eco-cultural tourism, as well as agro-ecotourism opportunities, as well as recreation and various types of mountain and winter tourism. For example, some places can be mentioned here from the point of view of health tourism. Istisu of Kalbajar, Zulfugarlı village, Lachin Minkend, Turshsu area of Shushan. Or, as examples of ethnocultural tourism, it is possible to show the city of Shusha, Tug, Azikh cave. Which can be considered as one of the favorable areas for the development of spell and cultural tourism. In Aghdam, Shahbulag Castle and its surrounding areas are more attractive in terms of cultural heritage. At the same time, there are favorable conditions for the development of ethnocultural tourism in the areas where Albanian Christian monuments, archaeological monuments, and monuments belonging to the Islamic era are concentrated. There are opportunities for winter tourism in the region, which mostly falls on the territories of Lachin and Kalbajar districts. Here, the thickness of the snow cover mainly corresponds to the norms for winter tourism – more than 30 centimeters. At the same time, it is considered economically profitable if the period of stay in the thick ground exceeds 90 days in areas above 2 thousand meters. At least 100 days pass here. From this point of view, it is favorable for mountain tourism, especially ski tourism. On the other hand, there are opportunities for spell tourism in the region. We can mention Taglar, Azikh, Zar, Khan caves. For one of the other directions of ecotourism activities, there are conditions for canyonic and paraphallic tourism. There are favorable conditions for hot air ballooning and ziplining. It is possible to organize a zipline from the deep canyon in Shusha. In terms of ecotourism, hiking and trekking are among the areas that stand out in the sense of outdoor tourism. That is, hiking routes can be more attractive. There are different directions here. For example, you can go to Ziyarat mountain from Tug in Khojavan. Apart from that, it is possible to organize such tourist routes to Sarıbaba mountain, Kalbajarda grasslands. There are opportunities for photo safaris, which are part of ecotourism. Including the complexity of the geological structure of the area, it is possible to create an ecotourism route where geomorphological geological natural monuments are presented. Because there are obsediant, avitines and various rocks in the region. The presence of clear waters in the rivers here are attractive areas for rafting tourism. The Hekari River is ideal for mass rafting.
When we were in these areas, we found it effective to organize it on both the Zabukh River and the Hekari River.In terms of attractiveness, it is not inferior to the Balkan countries and Turkey. At the same time, it is also suitable for fishing, which we call photo safari in the region. At one time, Armenians organized tours to Kalbajar and named it “after the natural goldfish”. Those who came here fished for themselves in Tutgun and other Kalbajar rivers. Agdaban river is suitable for this and it is possible to organize such tours. But on the condition that those fish are not destroyed there. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources should take control of this so that people do not destroy those goldfish with “tok” and other illegal means.
– What about eco-agrotourism? How do you assess the potential in this direction?
– There are also favorable conditions for eco-agrotourism. It is possible to go to the steppes and stay here. We can offer gastronomic tourism in this direction. Probably, the meadow festival will be transferred from Goygol to Kalbajar in the future. At the same time, the same can be said for agrotourism. In the future, the local population will be able to rent the houses in these new and modern villages and settlements. This process has already started. People who want to stay in the bosom of nature will be more inclined to come and relax here.
In the region, there is a need to raise awareness in terms of ecology and ecotourism. Unfortunately, during our visits, we encountered plastic waste around the sources of mineral water, the Hekari River. It is necessary to educate the people who move there, those who go to rest, so that they do not allow such steps. If there is pollution and a pile of waste, we will see the well-known undesirable scenes caused by the water in the Ganjachay, Kurekchay, and Goychay rivers in the liberated areas. This should be strictly avoided. People should at least take the waste they bring with them or throw it in certain containers. Around Minkend, these wastes are found both in the river and in the source of mineral water itself. This can cause huge problems in the future.
Actually, education does not have much effect on this issue at the moment. It will be good if the penalties are tightened. It will not be possible without it. Because our people still have a very low sanitary culture. Unfortunately, this is the reality.
– In general, what should be the educational measures?
– If the population resettled in the region is taught to observe mine safety, at the same time similar educational projects must be held for them. Here, such promotional activities and educational information can be carried out by both NGOs and media organizations. Media organizations can set up projects according to the policies of NGOs and the state in this field. Consider that the restoration of the region is planned as a green zone, an ecologically clean area. Green energy and green economy have been taken as a more encouraged direction. Both the media and NGOs should actively benefit from the funds and projects allocated by the state to this field. The most important thing here should be educational measures, environmental protection, compliance with sanitary norms and construction companies. In this matter, two targets and audiences should be defined. The first is education for the local population. And here we are talking about the attitude of their economic fields to the environment at the same time. The second one is for production areas. There should be educational events for those engaged in construction and agriculture. When they move their farm to summer pastures, they should know that they should also protect the environment. That person should understand what environmental norms to follow in the areas allocated to him so that he does not pollute the environment in the future. Such measures must be instilled in them. If this is not done, especially if it is not taught to those engaged in farming and construction work and others, tomorrow the pollution of the environment will start from those farms first. In short, the priority of education should be directed to this, so that people already understand that their waste will return to them. He may not see nature in that place tomorrow.
– 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?
– Protection of bioresources in areas liberated from occupation is one of the important issues. Certain educational measures are taken for those who move to the areas or go with cattle in the summer, bans are imposed on them. They also know that illegal hunting cannot be done in those areas. Unfortunately, in some cases, we hear from local residents that hunting of various wild animals, etc. undesirable situations occur. There are cases of illegal hunting like this. We see the worst situation in fishing. Because the sources of these rivers are considered the main place of growth of many fish species. They go along the river and spawn in the source. But by killing fish en masse, by using electric current, they seriously damage the nature. Both the MIA and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources should strengthen control. Without control, the natural goldfish as we know it could become completely extinct. This fish remained only in Tartarchay, Tutgun, Agdaban, Hekari, and Bargushad rivers. It is almost no longer found in other rivers. These fish must be protected. Although growth measures are also being taken, natural growth is important. Protection of water bodies is also important. Fish do not become extinct when they are caught with a net. But when they do it with electricity, they kill the animals. Today, certain reservoirs are being built in the region, and a lot of work is being done in this direction. Here too, the spawning process and migration of those fish must be taken into account in the future. Otherwise, we cannot stop the migration of fish to buy cheap energy by cutting off the water everywhere. The natural features of the water basin must be preserved. At least one-third of the riverbed should remain in its natural form so that the biomass in the watersheds can maintain itself.
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.