(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Details added: first version posted on 14:12
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. The Working Group
on environmental issues of the Interdepartmental Center, operating
under the Coordination Headquarters for addressing the issues in
the liberated territories of Azerbaijan in a centralized manner has
held a meeting in Shusha city, trend reports.
Representatives from the working group's respective state
structures, including the Special Representative Office of the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha District, Shusha
City State Reserve Management, and the Special Representative
Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Gubadli,
Jabrayil, and Zangilan districts of the East Zangazur Economic
Region, attended the meeting.
Delegates from the Special Representative Office of the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated
territories of the Karabakh Economic Region (except for Shusha
District), the Karabakh Economic Region Restoration, Construction,
and Management Service, and the East Zangazur Economic Region
Restoration, Construction, and Management Service No. 1 also
attended the event.
Vugar Karimov, the Head of the Working Group and Deputy Minister
of Ecology and Natural Resources, provided updates on the
ministry's environmental efforts in the Shusha district. These
efforts encompass reforestation, the creation of new green areas,
protection of special natural territories, and measures to preserve
the Dashalti State Nature Reserve established in 1988. The reserve
is dedicated to safeguarding rare natural complexes, historical and
paleontological landmarks, and maintaining them as exemplary areas
within the administrative territories of Khojaly and Shusha
districts.
Karimov highlighted that out of the 8,526 hectares of forest
resources in the Shusha district, 2,972 hectares were destroyed,
along with 50 hectares from the Dashalti State Nature Reserve,
which originally spanned 450 hectares. Additionally, among the
eight mineral deposits registered in the 1990s, only four were
exploited.
The official also mentioned the ongoing exchange of information
with experts engaged in the international legal assessment of the
ecological damage caused by Armenia during the 30-year
occupation.
Furthermore, the installation of an automatic weather station
equipped with all necessary sensors in Shusha city has been
completed, aiming to restore the hydrometeorological network. This
station now enables the assessment of climatic conditions in the
Shusha district, leading to improved accuracy in meteorological
forecasts and warnings, which is particularly beneficial for
industrial and agricultural sectors operating in the area.
In addition to the intensive development and beautification
efforts in the liberated territories, there is a strong focus on
restoring the environment. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of
Ecology and Natural Resources has compiled a list of trees and
shrubs suitable for planting in new green zones, considering their
bio-ecological characteristics. Furthermore, a classification based
on planting types has been prepared to guide the restoration
process.
To kickstart the restoration efforts, suitable tree species have
been planted on a 1.5-hectare plot adjacent to the Topkhana forest
in the Shusha district. Additionally, a 0.02-hectare plot to the
left of the entrance to Shusha city has also been planted with
appropriate trees to further contribute to the greening of the
area.
A representative from the Special Representative Office of the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district
provided valuable insights into the planning and project work for
the restoration and reconstruction of Shusha city, which holds
significant historical, cultural, and strategic importance for
Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that ecological concerns are given
special attention during the ongoing construction and restoration
work in Shusha.
Under the Master Plan of Shusha city, projects for constructing
houses and other structures are carefully designed to include
measures for preserving and relocating trees from areas designated
for creating green alleys and parks in the new districts. This
approach ensures that the city's greenery and natural environment
are well-preserved during the development process.
The favorable geographical location and rich nature of the
Shusha district offer extensive opportunities for the development
of the service and tourism sectors. In line with this potential,
the special representative office collaborates with relevant
institutions to create a comfortable and healthy living environment
for the residents of Shusha who are returning to their homeland, as
well as for visiting guests. To achieve this, they aim to implement
innovative methods that align with environmental standards,
promoting sustainable development practices in the city.
Moreover, the future concept for the development of Shusha city
and its surrounding areas takes into account the potential of the
rivers located in the district, the Dashalti State Nature Reserve,
and the abundant mineral water source, Turshsu, to develop tourist
zones. This strategic approach aims to harness the natural
resources of the region for tourism development while ensuring
their conservation and protection.
During the meeting, the participants were also informed about
the management of solid household waste in the liberated
territories. The "Temiz Sheher" (Clean City) state-owned company is
actively engaged in solid household waste management in Shusha
city. A total of 121 containers have been strategically placed
across 70 sites throughout the city to facilitate waste disposal.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Shusha City State Reserve
Management, the company has set up six landfill sites for
underground waste containers, with plans to establish more in the
future. This effort includes the acquisition of six units of
specialized equipment and four types of underground containers,
meeting modern waste management requirements in the city.
During the presentation, Faig Mutallimov, the department head at
the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, emphasized the
ministry's commitment to promoting a circular economy in the
liberated territories of Azerbaijan. To ensure efficient
utilization of natural resources, the ministry has initiated the
recycling of construction waste generated during restoration and
reconstruction works in Kangarli village, located in the Aghdam
district.
To ensure sustainable waste management in response to the
increased volume of construction and demolition waste resulting
from restoration efforts in the liberated territories, a pilot
project was launched in the Aghdam district. This project aims to
set a precedent for the effective recycling of waste in the
region.
Mutallimov shared that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural
Resources, with the assistance of experts from the UN Environment
Program, conducted laboratory analysis of samples taken from debris
in Shusha city and the Aghdam district. The analysis confirmed that
the waste is suitable for recycling and can be utilized in
construction activities.
In addition to Mutallimov's presentation, Irada Huseynova, a
member of the Working Group on Ecological Issues and Vice-President
of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), highlighted
the significance of Shusha for every Azerbaijani citizen, as it was
emphasized by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
She pointed out that after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands
by the victorious Azerbaijani army, scientific organizations and
researchers enjoying the opportunities created for the "Great
Return of Science" to Karabakh have been carrying out comprehensive
biological and radiological monitoring, studying the land and water
resources in the region, including Shusha and its surrounding
area.
During the meeting, Irada Huseynova presented valuable
information about the landscape, soil cover, biological diversity,
and rich flora and fauna of the Shusha district, including the
Dashalti State Nature Reserve. She highlighted the presence of rare
species from the "Red Book" of the Republic of Azerbaijan
inhabiting these areas. The presentation included details about the
results of biological, radiological, and microbiological monitoring
conducted by relevant research institutes, shedding light on the
ecological health of the region.
The presentation also revealed that two substantial chapters in
a book published by the renowned Springer publishing house in
English are dedicated to the medicinal and food plants of Karabakh
and their use by the local Azerbaijani population. This highlights
the rich natural resources and traditional knowledge of the region
that can contribute to its sustainable development.
Furthermore, a representative from the State Agency for Water
Resources of Azerbaijan provided important information about the
reconstruction of the drinking water supply systems in Shusha. In
the first phase of the project, new reservoirs were constructed to
ensure a sustainable water supply for the city, benefiting around
25,000 people while considering the city's future development
needs.
To meet the city's demand for drinking water, existing sources
such as Kichik Kirs, Zarisli, and the Zarislichay reservoir,
commissioned in 2022, will be utilized. Additionally, three
reservoirs with a total capacity of 6,000 cubic meters are being
planned to further ensure a sustainable water supply for
Shusha.
The construction of the first reservoir is set to be completed
by the end of the current year. In addition, water treatment
facilities with a capacity of 8,000 cubic meters per day are being
constructed to ensure the complete purification and treatment of
wastewater generated in Shusha city, contributing to environmental
protection and sustainable water management practices.
Following the liberation of Shusha, the restoration work for the
city's drinking water supply was promptly initiated. A project was
introduced to create an alternative water source due to a
significant decrease in the productivity of the Kichik Kirs and
Zarisli springs at certain times of the year. To address this, a
reservoir with a capacity of 25,000 cubic meters was constructed in
the Zarisli River bed. The project also included the establishment
of a pumping station and a new pressure pipeline extending 2.9
kilometers.
Thanks to these efforts, water supply from the new source was
made available to the city in December of the previous year.
Additionally, there are plans to expand the Zarislichay reservoir,
increasing its capacity to 7.5 million cubic meters, further
ensuring a stable and sufficient water supply for Shusha.
During the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions
about the prospects of utilizing construction and demolition waste
as secondary raw materials. Strategies to minimize environmental
impact during road infrastructure projects, protection, and
enhancement of green vegetation in Shusha, as well as the supply of
materials needed for the construction of the Shusha road, were also
addressed. Effective waste management solutions for the waste
generated during construction works in the liberated territories
were part of the discussions.
Furthermore, environmental assessments of projects implemented
in Shusha city were reviewed to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly
development in the region. After the meeting, the participants had
the opportunity to visit the Dashalti State Nature Reserve and the
Topkhana Forest, gaining firsthand knowledge of the natural
treasures of the area. Additionally, they were acquainted with the
functioning of the automatic meteorological station in the city,
contributing to improved understanding and management of climatic
conditions in the region.
