Armenia’s nearly 30-year occupation policy was not limited to the destruction of Azerbaijan’s cities and villages. During this period, Azerbaijan’s natural environment, biodiversity, and underground and surface resources were also systematically destroyed. These activities, which can be regarded under international law as the crime of ecocide, have dealt a serious blow to the region’s ecological balance.

 

During the occupation, the forest areas of Azerbaijan’s territories were subjected to unprecedented vandalism. More than 60,000 hectares of forest resources were destroyed. Among the areas targeted by Armenia were protected areas renowned for their rare flora and fauna. A large part of the Basitchay State Nature Reserve, considered home to the world’s second-largest plane-tree forest, was destroyed. Centuries-old plane trees were burned or cut down and used for various purposes.

More than 70 species of flora and over 60 species of fauna protected in the Garagol State Nature Reserve, as well as in the Araz River basin, Lachin, Gubadli and Dashalti sanctuaries, have been placed at risk of extinction. Deliberately set fires rendered more than 110,000 hectares of land unusable. In addition, the soil was contaminated with chemical substances and landmines.

The facts of Armenia’s environmental terrorism have also been confirmed by international organizations, which have adopted various resolutions in this regard. However, the scale of the damage is so extensive that restoring the region’s ecological balance will require many years and substantial resources. The Azerbaijani state is currently undertaking extensive efforts to ensure that these crimes receive a legal assessment at the international level, while also working to restore the natural environment as part of the Great Return Programme.