Tourism expert Jeyhun Ashurov: “Although there are opportunities for hunting in mountain regions such as Kalbajar and Lachin, it is important to strictly control the absence of hunting and poaching”
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 of foreign tourists to travel make the setting of tourism, especially ecotourism standards, urgent in the region.
Opinions and proposals of experts and scientists on the subject are of interest to our society.
This time, our interviewer on the topic is Jeyhun Ashurov, an expert on tourism.
– In Azerbaijan, targeted measures are being taken to protect the environment and eliminate the effects of climate change. At the same time, this is an urgent issue in the communication of our people with nature, in the process of reintegration of liberated territories. We would love to know your thoughts.
– As we know, infrastructural projects are being implemented in our territories freed from occupation, and in connection with these projects, serious work is being done to build roads, restore settlements, build new ones, relocate people to those areas, open workplaces, clear mines, and create a security situation. The main thing is that these steps are going very fast, and in parallel, issues related to settlement and opening of workplaces are being continued there. Therefore, the protection of the recreation resources there, the availability of opportunities creates serious conditions for the correct and efficient use of the tourism potential in the future. Due to the future increase in settlement and population density, there is bound to be economic revival there, and in parallel with this, the consumption of the environment and the effects of people on the environment are expected. In this regard, the protection of water bodies and the environment is one of the important issues. In parallel with these, educational work should be carried out, educating people in the direction of ecotourism, carrying out work in the direction of ecotourism in order to minimize the impact of tourists on nature, has a positive effect on the protection of nature and water bodies. In general, there is a great need to protect the parks and recreation resources there, to put the necessary signs and signs, to take timely preventive measures and post information about keeping the environment clean, to hold certain actions there from time to time, and to cover them with the help of the press.
– What risks and obstacles can there be in the development of ecotourism in Karabakh, the setting of standards in this area, in general, in the field of environmental protection?
– The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant operating in Armenia is a serious risk not only in the Karabakh region, but in the region in general. Its location on the border, its waste flowing into our territory through the river, and similar situations, in any case, have negative effects on our nature. It also poses a serious risk to the surrounding countries. Therefore, there may be international calls in this regard, occasionally this issue may be raised at international events. This is a slightly more political issue that needs to be covered from time to time.
– Which methods are more reasonable to take advantage of the potential of ecotourism in the region?
Taking advantage of the potential of ecotourism by following the principles of green growth, contributing to effective reintegration is also profitable from an economic point of view. Unfortunately, during the occupation, water basins were dried up in a number of our areas, forest cover was looted, and trees were broken. Historically, the Karabakh region has been an area with a denser green cover, a mountainous area, which differs in a positive sense due to its weather conditions and nature. The touristic potential of those areas is high. One of the important steps is to build greenery, parks, and increase the green cover in those areas in the future.
– What are your thoughts on the measures implemented by the state and relevant institutions in this field?
– I think that the state’s policy in the territories freed from occupation is that they are treated more sensitively, they are completely reconstructed and serious investments are made there. As a fully protected area, smart villages and smart cities are being built there, and I believe that the protection of its nature will be carried out very seriously. Of course, although there are opportunities for hunting in the water basins, regions where animal husbandry is developed, mountain regions such as Kalbajar and Lachin, there is a serious need to prevent hunting and poaching. Since these areas are under strict control, I do not think that any arbitrariness, hunting activities are carried out there, tourists do not follow the rules, or local and foreign tourists, citizens do not prevent activities that may harm the nature.
– What other measures can be taken?
– The strengthening of measures in this area should be started by educating the local people living there and the people who will settle there. Education work can be started there from schools and Karabakh University. Propaganda and education work on this matter among young people should be further expanded. At the same time, there is a benefit in conveying the sensitive approach of the tourists, especially regarding nature, at the level of the guides. Today’s demand is to spread awareness through social media to the right segments.
The article was prepared within the framework of the “Ecotourism standards in liberated areas” project implemented by the Globalized World Integration Public Union 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.