Aghgol preserve starts to expand

A press conference with experts from the alternative Nobel Foundation of Zukkov on establishment of national parks in lieu of local reserves was held Monday at the Ministry of Ecology.

The Foundation has allotted $40,000 for a draft to set up a national park in the Aghgol preserve, minister for ecology and natural resources Husein Baghirov said. The reserve located in Beylagan and Aghjabadi provinces will be expanded up to 16,000-17,000 hectares, the minister added.

German expert Hatmurd Miller says it is necessary to solve a number of problems related to construction of a water reservoir, provision of necessary equipment, improvement of staff qualifications and management in the reserve.

A set of national parks are being set up i Azerbaijan on the initiative of the minister for ecology. The government is currently considering the possibilities of receiving Japanese grants for establishment of the national "Shahdagh" park in Altiaghaj and Ismailli preserves.*