Ecological corridors for endangered animals

Baku/07.02.20/Turan: The Eco-Corridor Fund for the Caucasus project implemented in Azerbaijan is aimed at creating corridors between Specially Protected Natural Areas for free animal migration.

In addition to Azerbaijan, the project is also implemented in Georgia and Armenia and is very important for preserving the biodiversity of the entire Caucasus, and in the near future, it will cover the southern part of Russia.

The World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation (WWF) project was launched in 2001. In 2006, the program entered a more active phase.

In the course of the work, it was possible to identify that 360 species of animals are on the verge of extinction in this territory, and if everything goes well, then it will be possible to preserve and stimulate the increase in the population of 160 species. For the entire Caucasus, 230 territories were identified where environmental work was to be carried out.

The importance of the project is that it also includes elements of social and economic measures to maintain the standard of living of the population.

In the case of Azerbaijan, we are talking about summer pastures and compensations so that farmers stop grazing pets there. At the same time, they receive monetary compensation.

Money is transferred to the farmer's bank account as soon as the contract is concluded. However, a person cannot use the entire amount: at the end of each year, after monitoring, proving that the land was not exploited, the owner can withdraw 10% of the total amount.

Today in Azerbaijan, agreements are concluded with 12 communities - in Guba (four around the village of Gonagkyand, and four more around the village of Hynalyg).

Four more villages are located in Gakh, near the village of Ilisu. In the future, WWF plans to attract several more communities in Nakhchivan.

Presentation of the results of the work done to this day and prospects for the future were announced by WWF representatives at today's conference in Baku. -02D-