A ceremony dedicated to the opening of the Shirvan National Park was held on 1 October.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.

Thousands of people gathered in the territory of the National Park to greet the Prime Minister of the Republic. Head of the Azerbaijan Government was presented bunch of flowers.

Then, Premier Ilham Aliyev cut the red ribbon of the Park.

The Primer familiarized with the territory of the Shirvan National Park. Minister of natural recourses and ecology Huseyngulu Bagirov and contributor of the ministry Sadagat Mammadova informed in detail on the idea of setting up the Park. It was stated that the Park was set up on executive order of Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev, dated 5 July 2003, in the territory of Garadag district, as well as Salyan and Neftchala regions and covers an area of 54373,5 ha. The key goal of its creation is preservation of the main components of this semi-desert landscape, the gazelles entered the ‘Red Book’ of Azerbaijan Republic and rare fauna species of these territories, conduct ecological monitoring, raise ecological awareness of population, set up conditions for tourism and rest.

The Premier was informed that diversity of the relief, plants and soil of the area enables to specify a number natural landscape in the territory. Greater part of the territory is covered by absinth, salinity plants, semi-desert hills and plains. The centuries-oil coastal areas and the hills made by desert winds are the shelter of gazelles and useful for their preservation. The Shirvan National Park includes 17 species of reptile fauna and 230 species of birds. This richness is connected with hibernation of the migratory birds in the area and diversity of biotopes useful for them. In addition, 34 species of rare birds disappearing in Azerbaijan and over the world hibernate in the territory of the Shirvan National Park. Of them, 14 species were included to the “Red Book” of Azerbaijan, while 10 were enlisted by the International Society of Nature Preservation. All species of mammals residing in the Republic have found shelter in the area.

Then, the Premier toured the territory of the National Park, closely familiarized with the information, eco-tourism and monitoring services of the Park.

Inauguration ceremony was opened by the minister of natural recourses and ecology Huseyngulu Bagirov. He, in particular, said:

“Dear Mr. Primer,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear opening participants,

Today a landmark event occurs in the life of the nature lovers. Some times ago, President of our Republic Mr. Heydar Aliyev has adopted important decisions connected with the environment of the Country. Among them is the executive order on setting up Ordubad National Park, Shirvan National Park and Aggel National Park. On the base of the valuable recommendations of Mr. President and Prime Minister, a lot was done in the park we open today. These works were implemented by our nature lovers, specialists of ecology and our citizens. Today the first phase of these works are completing. The most important is that inauguration of such a National Park to ensure nature preservation and biodiversity for the first time is being realized by the Prime Minister. Therefore, we express our gratitude to our president, and Prime Minister.

By the way, creation of preservations in this area was launched since 1969, when our President heads the Republic. The preservation covered a little area then - 17 thousand ha. In 1982, on instructions of Mr. President, the territory of the preservation reached 25 thousand ha. Imagine, the head of the Republic went to Moscow to a high post, afterwards, returned to the Country and now, in the territory there has been setting up a modern, second in the Caucasus for its area, National Park that meets all requirements of present. Therefore, it is, indeed, a landmark event.

I should note that we always took into account valuable instructions of Mr. Premier. His recommendations enabled us to realize works both in setting up National Park and implement environmental arrangements. Just thanks to the care and attention of Mr. Premier, we have prepared and launched a program connected with pollution of soil in the Absheron peninsula.

I am reporting to dear Mr. Premier now: it is earmarked that at the means of World Bank and grants of a number of countries, a large range of works should start shortly on purification of the polluted areas in the Absheron peninsula and prepare the lands for consumption.

Concerning today’s event, I would say that this has no analogue and a new phase in our activity. Of course, every country wants to develop its economy and open new enterprises, open new work places. From this viewpoint, the Park Mr. Premier opens today is a distinctive one. The Park will employ over 100 people. Another significant point is that great works are implemented related to the protection of environment and nature. This concerns not only economic development, our Country, in compliance with the norms accepted over the world, is making a new qualitative step. We applaud the heads of out country for this.

Dear Prime Minister, we promise that the activity of the just inaugurated National Park and other parks of our country will be provided on the requirements you put forward. We are thankful that you started your trip with visit to the National Park Thank you very much.

***

Then, director of the Shirvan National Park Eldar Sariyev made a speech. He, in particular, spoke of the important of the National Parks set up in the Republic. Setting up national parks started since 1961 with the creation of Bandovan state preservation, he stressed.

He reminded great contributions of founder of the ecological science in Azerbaijan, the late academician Hasan Aliyev, who initiated for creation of the mentioned preservation with 25 thousand ha of area. Problems of the Shirvan State Preservation always worried him, he underlined. He objected creation of animal-husbandry farms in this territory.

After creation of the ministry of natural recourses and ecology on the Decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev in 2001, important works were done in this field as well. The problems connected with natural preservation of gazelles residing only in Azerbaijan in Europe, were solved and the Shirvan State Preservation was set up.

The accomplishments have been gained as the result of care and attention president Heydar Aliyev attaches to nature of the Country. On the executive order of President, dated 5 July 2003, the territory of the Shirvan National Park was reached 54 thousand ha.

Today, Shirvan National Park is being inaugurated by President’s worthy successor, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Protection of environment is in the focus of both President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev and Premier Ilham Aliyev. This is highly appreciated by the people of out country.

We are thankful for his personal attendance, express our deep gratitude, and promise that we shall do our best for preservation of the nature.