Environmental and Social Management Framework (esmf)

Protected areas

96. 
    The Caucasus is defined by the World Wildlife Fund of (WWF) as one of the 25 hot points of the world in terms of environmental fertility. The Caucasus region has been adopted as the main global ecological area on a basis of such criteria as diversity of kinds, endemism and taxonomic uniqueness.
    
97. 
    The system of the state territories protection is based on multistage structure with its various levels for use and protection applied in different categories like in the most countries. The categories are defined as per the Law on State Protected Areas and Objects (2000)¹².
    
98. 
    The protective figures are the following:
    

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  National parks: lands and water areas that are under the state property and have a special significance in terms of environment, history, etc. The territory of these areas is used for educational, scientific and cultural purposes.
  
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  Restricted areas: these territories are similar to the National parks but there is no need for them to be under the state property.
  
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  State Natural preserves are established with the aim to protect the nature, wild animals and vegetation, as well as the environment. Only scientific investigation is permitted.
  
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  State Natural Preserves are designed for conservation purposes of endangered species of either fauna or flora. As per the Law of Azerbaijan any industry development, intervention in animals or vegetation is strictly prohibited.
  
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  State hunting preserves: in these areas, sustainable exploitation of the wildlife by hunting is allowed.
  
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  Unique trees, caves or paleontological areas are protected under the name of "natural monuments".
  

Figure 9. Map of protected areas in Azerbaijan

99. 
    Total area of Azerbaijan occupied by specially protected nature areas equals 8929,0 km² or 10.3% of the country’s territory. Protected areas include 10 national parks, 10 state reserves and 24 wildlife sanctuaries (Table 2.1¹³).