Irada Hasanova, Chairman of “Sema va Eco” Socio-Economic Development Assistance Public Union: “For the development of ecotourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, a legislative framework must first be created. Ecotourism should first be calculated for the economic benefit of the local population”
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.
The opinions and proposals of experts and scientists on the subject are of interest to our society.
Our interviewee is Irada Hasanova, the chairman of the “Sky and Eco” Socio-Economic Development Assistance Public Union.
– 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 liberated areas?
-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 is one of the important issues to buy. Our country has a mysterious nature that allows for the development of tourism. Azerbaijan’s favorable climatic conditions create favorable conditions for the development of both traditional tourism and ecotourism. There are many mountainous areas in our country. Recently, the number of lovers who prefer ecotourism has increased. The most charming corners of Azerbaijan with tourism potential are located in the liberated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur. It is a pity that these areas were exposed to environmental pollution during the 30-year occupation. The lands of Azerbaijan, which have been under occupation for 30 years, have been completely mined and seriously polluted. After the second Karabakh war, the level of contamination with landmines and unexploded ordnance increased and exacerbated the current situation. The shells, bombs, including illegal chemical weapons used by the Armenian side during the war have seriously threatened the ecosystem in Karabakh today. Polluted rivers, felled and burned forests, completely destroyed flora and fauna, land filled with mines, etc. poses a threat today. 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.
– 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?
-Protection of the environment, including water bodies and their bioresources, as well as other natural resources in our liberated areas, in terms of compliance with the principles of “green growth” in our country. is also important. The construction works carried out within the framework of the Great Return Project and in Karabakh and East Zangezur are based on green technologies.
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. I believe that in order to develop ecotourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, a legislative framework should be created first. 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 tourists. Houses in rural areas should be renovated at a level that will satisfy tourists. One of the most important issues is the media’s coverage of this area. So, it is necessary to work with the mass media and increase publicity for the development of ecotourism.
– Education of the population moving to the regions, lovers of ecotourism, amateur fishermen and other groups in the issues of ecology and ecotourism is the need of the day. What actions are necessary in this direction? In general, what should be the measures of informing? What fines can be imposed?
-Environmental and ecotourism education of the population moving to the regions, lovers of ecotourism, fishermen-lovers and other groups within the framework of the Great Return – the need of the day. It would be better if civil society activists went to these regions, provided people with mobile services, held educational talks, and held actions for planting trees and cleaning. As we know, fines are already applied to those who hunt illegally and damage biodiversity, and in order to prevent the recurrence of similar problems, it is necessary to strengthen control.
– The ecological problems of the regions that we are talking about are also a bit of an obstacle to the further advancement of tourism, in general, to restoration and settlement works. What are the main sources of environmental problems?
– mining waste containing chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, vanadium, lead and other heavy metals of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine in Gajaran, mining combine in Gafan, Okchuchayi and pollutes the Araz River. Mining wastes containing heavy metals from the Akerak Copper-Molybdenum Combine also poison the water of the Araz River through Kerchivanchay. The Dashdam (Dashdam) Gold Mine in Goyce Province produces about 10,000 ounces of gold per year. Mining continuously pollutes the local water supply. A high concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, harmful to human health and the environment, was found in the mine’s wastewater. Wastewater from the mine poisons nearby rivers, including the main source of drinking water, the Barghusad River. Mining wastes containing heavy metals formed as a result of the operation of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) gold deposit, whose activity has been protested many times by international organizations, and decisions against it have been made, are also discharged into the Bargushad River and pollute the Araz River through the Hekari River. The “Metsamor” Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia discharges all its waste into the Araz River, which in general creates conditions for the pollution of the region’s ecology.
In general, global warming causes serious changes in the environment. Some of these changes are inevitable. Almost all ecological systems of the planet, primarily the ecology of the sea, have been damaged. Water scarcity forces people to bring water from long distances and store water supplies at home. This can increase the risk of water pollution at home and cause diseases.
This year, by order of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has declared the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World”. At the same time, COP29, which will be organized in Azerbaijan, will be a historic event related to increasing the activity of climate change and the essence of the Paris Agreement. Both important events will prompt further acceleration of work to be done in the field of environmental protection in Azerbaijan.
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.