“There is a wide network of Specially Protected Natural Areas (PAs) for the protection of leopards in Azerbaijan. In recent years, the area of the Specially Protected Nature Areas, habitat for leopards, has been greatly expanded,” said Firuddin Aliyev, Head of the Biodiversity Protection Service at a press conference held at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
“If in the last century, there was only Ordubad reserve (40,000 hectares) in Nakhchivan, now there are 4 Specially Protected Natural Areas with a total area of 148,645 hectares. The area of the Hirkan reserve, which was created on the basis of the previously existing 2906-hectare Hirkan National Park, has been increased to 40 thousand 358 hectares,” Firuddin Aliyev emphasized.
He also noted that Azerbaijan plans to establish Specially Protected Natural Areas in the liberated territories and strengthening protection.
