AzETA Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association is non-profit organization founded in 2019 dedicated to promoting eco-culture and ecotourism in Azerbaijan.
AzETA has been on the forefront of the development of ecotourism in Azerbaijan, providing guidelines and standards, technical assistance and legal consultancy, various educational programs.
AzETA is network of ecotourism professionals, eco-travelers and ecotourism service providers is leading the efforts to make tourism activities a viable tool for conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable local community development.
Through membership services, outreach activities in the industry and educational programs, AzETA is committed to helping businesses, communities and individuals promote and practice the principles of sustainable eco-culture and ecotourism.
AzETA currently collaborates with representatives of various professional fields and industry segments including academics, consultants, natural conservation professionals and organizations, governments, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, development experts, ecotourists and anyone who cares about environment and sustainability.
As we continue our work to make Azerbaijan a more sustainable global tourist destination, we are prioritizing the protection of our planet in everything that we do. We have set ourselves ambitious goals and continue to work diligently and ceaselessly towards achieving
them.
Azerbaijan is the ultimate destination for ethical, conscious and responsible travelers – a beautiful, untouched country passionate about sustainability that is calling out to be discovered! Whether you are craving time in nature away from the crowds, urban bustle or
seeking immersion in traditions, ancient heritage, Azerbaijan calls to green-minded adventurers from all over the world!
Azerbaijan offers numerous sustainable travel options for visitors who are eco-friendly, seek to minimize their carbon footprint, and care about recognizing and protecting local cultures while having unforgettable experiences.
If you are interested in outdoor activities, Azerbaijan offers choices in every region: majestic mountains and sparkling lakes, caves and national parks, and biodiversity and endemic species that are a regional feature.
With many beautiful locations off the main tourist trails for exciting hiking, cycling, paragliding, diving and rafting experiences, you can enjoy your visit and explore your local surroundings using eco-transportation, taking care of yourself and helping us protect the environment and the planet at the same time!
Enjoy history and nature at UNESCO listed heritage sites, experience the diverse cultural delights around every corner, get to know the communities’ traditional lifestyles and discover the rich and varied Azerbaijani cuisine – every region and city of the country will surprise you
and leave you wanting more with its unique culinary offerings!
You can also check out the many local gastronomy festivals and taste delicious dishes made from ancestral natural products.
We are resolutely implementing the provisions of the numerous international environmental conventions, which we are proud to be part of, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which is the foundation of our sustainable tourism strategy.
We aim through our projects on sustainability to leave the ultimate long-lasting heritage for future generations: an intact and healthy Planet Earth.
Specially protected natural areas – consisting of natural complexes and objects of special ecological, scientific, cultural, aesthetic and healing importance, places where rare and endangered species of plants and animals are distributed, completely or partially, permanent or temporary from the economic cycle is extracted land, water (aquatorial) areas and the atmospheric space above them.
In the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, specially protected natural areas are divided into the following types, depending on their purpose, protection regime and characteristics of use:
state nature reserves, including biosphere reserves; national parks; nature parks; ecological parks; state nature reserves; natural monuments; zoological parks; botanical gardens and dendrological parks; treatment and healing places and resorts; geological parks.
The creation of protected areas in Azerbaijan can be conventionally divided into 3 stages: I stage – the creation of the first specially protected nature area (Eldar pine Botanical Reserve – 1910), II stage – the creation of reserves and sanctuaries (Goygol, Kizylagac in 1925-1936 ,
Zagatala, Hirkan, Turyanchay, Shirvan, Aggol, Pirgulu, Ismayilli, Ilisu, Karagöl reserves in 1958-1993), III stage – creation of the first national parks in 2003.
Currently, there are protected nature areas covering an area of 893 thousand hectares in Azerbaijan. Of these, 10 are national parks, 10 are state nature reserves, and 24 are state nature reserves. In general, specially protected natural areas make up 10.31% of the country’s territory, separately, national parks make up 4.87% of the country’s territory, state nature reserves make up 1.39%, and state nature reserves make up 4.05%.
In September 2018, a new National Park – Kizylagac National Park was established at the base of the Kyzylagac State Nature Reserve on an area of 99,060 hectares on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Currently, in the direction of creating or changing the status of new specially protected natural areas, the creation of the new "Zagatala-Balakan biological reserve" has been started, guided by the socio-economic development of the regions and the well-being of the population. reserve will be created.
The creation of a biosphere reserve will create conditions for the preservation of biological diversity along with the socio-economic development of the regions in our country, the improvement of the social welfare of the local population, the increase of employment, the
stimulation of ecological tourism.
In addition, for the first time in Azerbaijan, relevant measures are being implemented in the field of creation of a new type of specially protected natural areas – geological parks.
Hirkan National Park, famous in the South Caucasus for its unique natural forests rich in relict and endemic species, was included in the "UNESCO World Natural Heritage List" in 2023.
National Parks are territories with the status of nature protection and scientific enterprise or organization, where natural complexes of special ecological, historical, aesthetic and other importance are located and are used for nature protection, education, scientific, cultural and
other purposes.
The first initiative to create national parks in the Republic of Azerbaijan was put forward by Academician Hasan Aliyev. The first national parks in our country were created in 2003. In the later period, this tradition was continued and finally, in September 2018, a new National Park – Kizylagac National Park was established at the base of the Kizylagac State Nature Reserve on an area of 99,060 hectares on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
Currently, there are 10 national parks operating in Azerbaijan, which make up 4.87% of the country’s territory.
