President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on October 20, 2026, establishing Karabakh National Park, which will cover land in the Aghdara, Khojaly, Kalbajar, Shusha and Lachin districts.
Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov announced the move at a meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Issues held in Aghdam on October 30. He said the newly created Karabakh National Park will cover a total area of 88,418 hectares.
According to the deputy minister, the park aims to preserve the natural environment and historical-natural heritage of the Karabakh region, restore biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of natural resources, and create conditions for expanding ecotourism.
Protected areas in liberated territories gradually resume work
Vugar Karimov said other specially protected natural areas located in the territories liberated from occupation are also being restored step by step. He noted that the Basitchay State Nature Reserve and the Dashalti State Nature Sanctuary have already resumed operations.
Meanwhile, restoration work is still ongoing at the Garagol State Nature Reserve, as well as at the Gubadly, Arazboyu and Lachin state nature sanctuaries.
Preparations underway for second national park in East Zangezur
The deputy minister also said preliminary research has begun on establishing a separate national park in the East Zangezur economic region. Work on a map-scheme project for the area is currently underway.
Read also: Ilham Aliyev orders creation of Karabakh National Park
