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Event for Hall 4

Adventure Travel & Responsible Tourism
at ITB Berlin 2016

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South Caucasus

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Nature protection through
• Protected areas
(now some 11% of land surface)
• Eco-corridors
• Sustainable use of natural resources,
e.g. forests and (mountain) pastures
• Public awareness raising
• Use nature value, e.g. through tourism

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 German Development
Cooperation supports Nature
Protection by:
German Ecoregional Conservation Programme

• Invests in Protected Areas

• Caucasus Nature Fund
• Transboundary Joint Secretariat
• Ecoregional-Corridor Program

Sustainable use of natural resources

In partnership with
Ministries, and other
organisations
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TJS supports sustainable tourism in
Protected Areas

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Ağgöl National Park

One of the most important

wintering and nesting
areas worldwide for
endangered water-marsh
birds: more than 100,000
birds and more than 90
species nest in this oasis
Bird watching, hiking, etc.

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 Hirkan National Park
The vast woodlands of
Hirkan NP survived the
Ice Age and continue
to flourish and
proliferate
The lush It is home to
Caucasian leopard and
many other mammals
and birds
Hiking, horse riding or
wildlife watching
Lankaran on the Caspian
Sea coast is famous for its
craft products like carpets,
hats, baskets decorated
with traditional patterns, and
beautifully embroidered
handwoven cloths.
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Shirvan National Park
Warm and dry world
of semi-deserts on the
Caspian Sea
shoreline are home to
the Ceyran
Goitered Gazelle
Ceyran sighting
guaranteed

Flamingo Lake is an
excellent bird habitat for
bird watching from the
viewpoint or from a boat
Or stay in the Eco-village
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 Kazbegi

Mount Kazbek or
Mqinvartsveri,
Georgian for “ice
mountain“
Majestic snow-
capped mountains
oversee valleys
with wild rivers and
alpine meadows
Ideal for hiking

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Ağgöl National Park

One of the most important

wintering and nesting
areas worldwide for
endangered water-marsh
birds: more than 100,000
birds and more than 90
species nest in this oasis
Bird watching, hiking, etc.

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 Samur Yalama National Park
A lush forest area on the
Caspian Sea coastline,
interwoven with creeks, rives
and springs
Wetlands and marine areas
provide important habitats and
spawning grounds for
endangered fish, which
migrate from
the coast up the rivers
Hiking, coastal recreation,
local culture

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 Shahdagh National Park
Shahdagh means
“king of mountains”
In the valleys are
lush forests along
streams
Higher are alpine
meadows, glaciers
and snow covered
rocky peaks over
4,000 m high
It attracts hikers and
mountaineers

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Lagodekhi Protected Areas
Glacial alpine lakes feed swelling
mountain streams, which rage down
gorges between narrow pine-clad slopes
Rapid torrents and
impressive waterfalls
(some 40 metres high)

Stream quiet down in the valleys with their magnificent broad leaf
forests, reminding one of fairy tale stories.
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Tusheti Protected Areas

Fascinating world of
high mountain villages
with traditional
houses and
remarkable defence
towers dating back to
the Middle Ages
Enjoy landscape,
nature, historical sites,
traditional customs,
Tushetian cuisine,
music and local
products

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 Kazbegi

Mount Kazbek or
Mqinvartsveri,
Georgian for “ice
mountain“
Majestic snow-
capped mountains
oversee valleys
with wild rivers and
alpine meadows
Ideal for hiking

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 Imereti Caves Protected Areas

Imereti Caves
includes
Prometheus Cave
(with boat ride),
Sataplia Cave
(with dinosaur
footprints) and
nearby Okatse
Canyon and
Martvili Canyon
(with dinosaur
footprints)

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Kolkheti National Park

Comprises the
Black Sea coast
line and Lake
Paliastomi basin
Kolkheti wetland
ecosystems is of
International
importance
Activities include
boat tours on Lake
Paliastomi and river
Pichori gorge, as
well as sport
fishing, bird
watching and eco-
educational tours

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Lesser Caucasus Network:
from Black Sea to Araks River

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 Kintrishi Protected Areas
Kintrishi Protected
Areas are located in
breath-taking gorge
of the Kintrishi river,
which flows through
the Adjara Region
In the subtropical
wet climate a colchic
forest flourish in a
landscape with
waterfalls, mountain
lakes and
rhododendrons

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Mtirala National Park
Mtirala’s gently rolling mountains are
lavishly covered with evergreen
shrubs, colourful rhododendron bushes
and misty, impenetrable colchic forests
dating back to ancient tropical climate
conditions
Mtirala means “Cry Baby”, fitting well
to the wet climate

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 Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Vast mountainous
wilderness areas
Red deer, chamois,
brown bear, lynx,
golden eagle and
many other birds
Visitors can enjoy the
fantastic landscapes,
watch birds during
migration seasons
Visit villages,
fortresses and
monasteries nearby
Spa tourism

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 Javakheti Protected Areas
Alpine meadows with lakes and wetlands that harbour many
nesting birds and are a stop-over for migratory birds in the
migration season
Near are Vardzia Monastery and other historic sites

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Lake Arpi National Park
Volcanic Javakhq-
Shirak Plateau with
mountain steppes,
subalpine grasslands
and high alpine rocky
outcrops, intertwined
with a wealth of lakes,
wetlands and rivers
Habitat for nesting and
migratory birds
Ideal for hiking,
horseback-riding,
birdwatching tours, or
cross country skiing

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 Dilijan National Park
Caucasian woodlands of
oak, ash and elm, wonderful
highland sceneries and are
home to bears, wolves and
many other rare species.
Curative mineral springs and
clear lakes such as Lake
Parz attract offer good
opportunities for hiking,
photography, horse riding,
discovering historical
monuments and local cuisine

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Lake Sevan National Park
Vast lake in an ancient
volcanic landscape with
mountain steppes, alpine
meadows, pebble beaches
and wide bright strips of
sea-buckthorn and pine
trees
Home to many bird
species and rare fish
species
Attracts many tourists for
hiking, bird watching and
water sports

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 Khosrov Forest State Reserve
A rich world of
deserts and semi-
deserts, mountain
steppes,
woodlands, alpine
and subalpine
meadows
Fauna includes
Caucasian
leopard, bezoar
goat, brown bear,
wild boar, black
vulture, Caspian
snowcock,
Armenian viper

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Shikahogh National Park
An inimitable landscape with
pristine broadleaf forests in a
humid and warm climate,
rugged terrain, crystal-clear
streams, cliffs and deep gorges
Home to Caucasian leopard,
bezoar goat,
brown bear, wild boar,
Caucasian black grouse,
Caspian snowcock, Armenian
viper and wild cat

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 Arevik National Park
Bordering Araks
river is a relatively
new National Park
with semi-deserts,
mountain plains and
alpine meadows,
and admire an
extraordinary
diversity of flowers.
Harbouring rare
species such as the
Caucasian leopard,
and Armenian
mouflon
Local fruits are
the sweetest
in Armenia

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Can you organise eco-tours to these
protected areas?
• Tourism and visitor services are
developing in these areas
• Services are not perfect, but for less
demanding travellers add to the
authentic experience
• Next to nature there is also a rich
cultural heritage, amazing hospitality
and food
• Visitor numbers grow over 10%
annually
• As a project and programme we work
on improving products, services and
capacities of service providers
• No need to wait; current visitors are
enthusiast and just go!!
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Whom to contact
Armenia
Ministry of Nature Protection
http://www.mnp.am/
Azerbaijan
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
http://eco.gov.az/en/77-national-parks
Georgia
Agency for Protected Areas of Georgia
http://www.apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism
Regional
Transboundary Joint Secretariat
http://tjs-caucasus.org
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