Specially protected areas of RA

A specially protected nature area is the prohibition of any economic activity in a specific natural area imposed by the government and aimed at preservation of the biodiversity and ecosystem of that particular territory.

Specially protected areas ensure the conservation of unique ecosystems and the reproduction of endangered, extinct, endemic and relict species in their natural environment.  

Specially protected nature areas can be surface or underground pools which encapsulate highlighted territories of entrails or areas that have unique biodiversity (flora, faun).

There are 4 types of nature preservation in Armenia

 

• State wildlife sanctuaries
• National Parks
• State Reserves
• Natural Monument

 

State Wildlife Sanctuaries

Specially protected nature or water areas that have a scientific, cultural, land-protective, water-protective and historical significance. This is a research institution the main tasks of which are to preserve the flora and fauna peculiar to a particular region, to breed and contribute to the reproduction of extinct or endangered species, and to observe and study the main patterns of natural development.

National Park  

A specially protected area of ​​nature, an environmental and state scientific-observational institution, which has scientific, educational, environmental, historico-cultural, aesthetic, recreational and other values and is created for the protection and preservation of natural resources, landscapes, natural and historico- cultural monuments and is used for touristic and economic purposes.      

 

 State Reserve

A legally-defined, permanently or temporarily separated specially protected area providing effective protection, targeted use and natural reproduction of natural ecosystems and their constituent species, plants and animals that represent scientific, educational, historico-cultural or economic value.

State Reserves  of Armenia

Shikahogh State Reserve

This reserve was established in 1958. It is located in Syunik region of Armenia, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Khustup and on the north-eastern slopes of the Meghri Mountains, in the upper basins of the Tsav and Shikahogh Rivers at an altitude of 700-2800 meters. The area is about 10,330 hectares. It has been established for the protection of oak, hornbeam, beech, sorghum forests and animals. There are many mountain rivers and mineral springs in this area.

The flora is rich in Caucasian moisture-loving vegetation and herbs. There are many endemic species in the territory of this reserve. About 94% of the area is wooded. Eastern beech and eastern pine are widely distributed in this area. There are also wild fruit trees such as pear trees, apple trees, Greek walnuts, etc.

The most famous reptiles of the reserve are gyurza, aquatic and terrestrial Laktuns, Deghaporik, and the Armenian alpine-steppe Izh. Among birds the following species are common: wild turkeys, eagles, white-headed vultures and among mammals: gray wolves, gray rabbits, hedgehogs, sometimes Bezoar ibex and leopards. Many of these species are included in the Red Book of Armenia.

Khosrov Forest State Reserve

Khosrov Forest State Reserve is located in the historical territory of Khosrov Forest, which was founded in the 4th century as a hunting ground  by Armenian king Khosrov B Kotak and in 1958 was registered as “State Reserve”. It is located in Ararat region, on the slopes of the mountain ranges of Geghama, Tasanord, Yeranos and of Iric and Khosrovasar mountains, in the basins of the Azat and Vedi rivers. Occupies an area of ​​27,000 hectares. It starts near Dvin, from the bank of the river Araxes, and stretches to the Azat River.

This area is characterized by forest, semi-desert, alpine and dry Mediterranean vegetation. About 64% of the area is occupied by drought-loving plants, 16% by forests, and 20% of the area by shrubs. The sparse forests of juniper and oak are the gems of this State Reserve. The latter are followed by regular, round-leafed ash, sorbus, maple and different types of pear trees. There are many juniper-sorbus, juniper-pear and juniper-hackberry mixed forests in the territory of this State Reserve.     

The area is noted for its rich diversity of fauna which encapsulates more than 1500 species. The most famous ones are: among fishes, the brown trout, among birds the white vulture, and among mammals the Moufflon, Bezoar ibex, brown bear, long-eared hedgehog, and leopard.

Erebuni State Reserve

Erebuni State Reserve was established in 1981 and is located in Yerevan. This specially protected nature area is situated at an altitude of 1300-1450 meters above sea level and consists of semi-deserted mountain-steppes. The reserve was formed for the protection of the wild types of Poaceae, including the Triticum araraticum. The total area of the reserve is 120 hectares.

Three out of four globally known types of wheat including Ararat, Urartu and Einkorn and their subtypes (about 110)  are found in the territory of this state reserve.

The fauna includes amphibians such as green toads, marsh frogs, tree frogs, Syrian spadefoot, reptiles such as the Macrovipera lebetina, Trachylepis aurata, different types of blotched snakes and the Common tortoise, birds including the partridge, common quail, turtle dove and falcon and mammals such as the fox, least weasel, marten, wolf and European badger. There are many types of rodents as well.  

 

National Parks

Sevan National Park

This specially protected area is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia. Sevan National Park was established on March 14, 1978, by the 125th decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia and the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR.

The total area of the national park with and without the surface area of Lake Sevan is 147,343 and 22,585 hectares respectively. The area of ​​the protected zone is 342,920 hectares.
The territory of the park includes Lake Sevan which is the largest freshwater high-altitude lake in the region. The volume of the lake is 33,2 km³ and the area is 1238 km². The dam of Shorzha which passes through the Artanish and Noratus promontories divides the lake into two parts: South-Eastern or Big Sevan and  North-Eastern or Small Sevan, the surface areas of which are 20.4 km² and 12.8 km² respectively. The maximum depth of the lake is 79.4 meters and the average depth is 26.2 meters. The circumference of the shore is 230 kilometers.

The lake has 28 tributaries, 4 out of which disembogue into Small Sevan and 24 belong to the large part.

The lake has only one effluent river which is Hrazdan.

The territory of Sevan National Park is divided into 4 territorial zones: nature reserves, state reserves, recreational and economic unites. There are 4 state reserves in the park: Norashen, Lichk-Argich, Gill and Artanish, the total area of ​​which is 7464 hectares with a terrestrial area of 4289 hectares, and an aquatic area of 3175 hectares. Moreover, the territory of the national park includes 2 nature reserves– “Gavaraget” and “Juniper-Oak”. The total area of the two reserves is 2652 hectares–2359 hectares terrestrial and 293 hectares aquatic. The park also encompasses 4753 hectares of recreational area and 11266 hectares of economic area.  

Lake Arpi National Park

Lake Arpi National Park was established in 2009.  It is located in Shirak province, in the regions of Amasia and Ashotsk, on the eastern slopes of the Yeghnakhagh and on the south-western slopes of the Javakhq mountains. The area of the national park is about 25000 hectares.   

The national park was established to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Javakhq-Shirak Plateau. Here is the world’s largest colony of the Armenian Black-headed gull and the only habitat of the Dalmatian pelican in Armenia.

More than 670 species of plants are found in the territory of the park. Those include the Orchis, Gladiolus, Irises, Poppy, Lily, etc., and 22 endemic species.  There are also 30 species of mammals such as the European otter and the marbled polecat.

The cultivated landscapes of the drainage basin of Lake Arpi are mainly made up of grain and flax fields.

Areviq National Park

Areviq National Park was established in 2009 and is situated on the southern slope of the Zangezur Mountains, in the drainage basin of the Astghadzor and Nyuvad rivers. The total area is 34,402 hectares. The object of protection is the unique flora and fauna of Meghri.     

There are upright natural zones and different types of landscapes–alpine meadows, mountain steppes, forests and semi-deserts–in the territory of the national park.  It has rich biodiversity including the Persian leopard, Bezoar ibex, Armenian mouflon, Common tortoise, Armenian viper, Eurasian otter, Caspian snowcock and Caucasian grouse.

The flora is diverse and encompasses several endangered species such as the Cheilanthes pteridioides, Redbuds, wild watermelon, Xeranthemum, Protea neriifolia, Gladiolus, Gagea and Orchis. All of the above-mentioned species are registered in the Red Book of Armenia.

Dilijan National Park

Occupies the basin of the upper stream of the Aghstev River. The territory of the national park stretches over the eastern, north-western and north-eastern slopes of the Bovaqar, Miapor and Areguni mountains. The total area is about 24000 hectares.

Dilijan National Park was established in 1958 with a purpose of preserving and enriching the flora and fauna of the area and breeding new species in local conditions. The forests of the park are of primary importance and have land-protective, water-regulating, scientific and economic value.

The flora of Dilijan National Park includes 902 species of vascular plants about 40 of which are rare species. Moreover, the area mainly consists of Lindens, oak, beech  and Ash. There are the 3rd-century remnants of Taxus groves and the grove of Aghnabat which spreads in the valley of the Getik River is the largest in the region. The widely distributed healing herb species are hypericum, mint, thymes and ziziphora.  The nutrient herb species are Russian dock, Falcaria, Cow Parsnip, and clover, sainfoin from fodder species.

Dilijan National Park has a rich fauna. There are brown bears, roe deer, European badgers, wildcats, lynxes, foxes, Caucasian squirrels, as well as many reptiles and amphibians. Birds are also abundant, represented by 150 species including the black grouse, the Caspian snowcock, the common redshank, the common blackbird and the dove.

 

State wildlife sanctuaries of Armenia

Aragats Alpine Sanctuary

This sanctuary was established in 1959 for the preservation of the alpine flora of the area and Lake Qar. The total area is 300 hectares and is situated on the southern slope of Mount Aragats.

Arzakan-Meghradzor Sanctuary

This sanctuary was established in 1971 for the protection of the following species: the brown bear, the Caspian snowcock and the wild boar.  The surface area is 13,532 hectares.

Boghakar Sanctuary

Boghakar Sanctuary was established in 1989 for the protection of some flora and fauna species typically found in Armenia. The area of the sanctuary is 2728 hectares. Boghakar Sanctuary is situated in the south of Armenia on the southern slope of the Zangezur Mountains.

Gandzakar Sanctuary

Gandzakar Sanctuary was established in 1971 for the preservation of the following species: the roe deer, the wild boar and the brown bear. The total area of the sanctuary is 6813 hectares. Gandzak Sanctuary is situated in the south of Armenia – in the basin of Caytajur which is the tributary of the Aghstev River.

Getik Sanctuary

Getik Sanctuary was established in 1971 and is situated in the east of Armenia – in the basin of the Getik River which is one of the affluents of the Aghstev River. The protected species of the area are: the roe deer, the brown bear, and the wild boar. The total area of the sanctuary is about 5718 hectares.

Arjatkhelni Hazel Sanctuary

Arjatkhelni Hazel Sanctuary was established in 1958 for the preservation of Juniper and Hazel groves. The total area of the sanctuary is 40 hectares and is situated in the north of Armenia in the valley of the Khachaghbyur River.

Banks’ Pine Grove Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1959 for the protection and preservation of Banks’ Pine. The total area of the sanctuary is 4 hectares. The sanctuary is situated in the valley of the Marmarik River.

Akhnabad Taxus Grove Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1959 for the protection of taxus grove and fauna of the area. Akhnabad Taxus Grove Sanctuary in the valley of the Getik River at an altitude of 1400-1700 meters above sea level. The total area of the territory is about 25 hectares.  

Gilan Sanctuary

The total area is 118 hectares. The sanctuary is located in Ararat province, on the bank of the Mil River which is one of the tributaries of the Azat River.  In 2007, the sanctuary was separated from Khosrov Forest State Reserve.

Juniper Westaoodlands Sanctuary

It was established in 1958 to protect several types of juniper. The sanctuary is situated in Gegharkunik province, on the southern slopes of the Areguni and Sevan mountains. The total area of the sanctuary is 3312 hectares.

Gyulagarak Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1958 for the protection of pine forests of the area. Gyulagarak sanctuary is located in Lori province–near Gyulagarak village, in the valley of the Qarhanqjur River. The total area of the sanctuary is 2576 hectares.

Goravan Sands Sanctuary

This is a protected nature area situated in Ararat province–near the village of Goravan and Khosrov Forest State Reserve, on the left side of the Vedi river basin. The sanctuary was established in 1959  in order to protect the unique flora and fauna of the largest known residual of sandy semi-deserts in Armenia. The total area of this sanctuary is about 200 hectares.  

Goris Sanctuary

Was established in 1972 in order to protect this territory’s forest landscapes and fauna (sika deer, roe deer, brown bears). The sanctuary is situated in Syunik province, in the valley of the Vorotan river and has a total area of 1850 hectares.    

Yeghegnadzor Sanctuary

This sanctuary was established in 1971 for the protection of rare animal species and forest landscapes. Yeghegnadzor sanctuary is located in Vayots Dzor province, in the valley of the Yeghegis river and has a total surface area of 4200 hectares.

Ijevan Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1971 for the protection of this area’s forest landscapes and fauna (sike deer, brown bears, roe deer). It is located in Tavush province, in the basin of the Aghstev River, on the slopes of the Ijevan Mountains Range. The total area of Ijevan Sanctuary is 5908 hectares.  

Hankavan Hydrological  Sanctuary

This sanctuary was established in 1981 to protect and preserve the mineral springs of this area. Hankavan Hydrological Sanctuary is located in Kotayk province–in the upper valley of the Marmarik river, on the slopes of the Tsaghkunyats Mountains.

Margahovit Sanctuary

Margahovit Sanctuary was established in 1971 for the protection of the moisture-loving forests and their flora and fauna. The sanctuary is situated in Lori province, in the valley of the Aghstev river, between the village of Margahovit and the  northern slopes of the Pambal Mountains. The total area of the sanctuary is 3368 hectares and the whole territory is under the subordination of the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia.

Rhododendron Caucasicum Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1959 for the protection of Caucasicum Rhododendron shrubs.  The sanctuary is situated on the right bank of the Aghstev river, and south of Margahovit village. The Rhododendron is one of the rare and extremely beautiful species of Armenia. It has evergreen and short (20-25 sm) decorative shrubs. The sanctuary’s total area is 1000 hectares.

Zangezur Sanctuary

Zangezur sanctuary was established in 2009 for the protection of the alpine, subalpine and alpine-steppe ecosystems of the area. The area is situated in Syunik province, on the southern and eastern slopes of the Bargushat and Zangezur mountain ranges respectively. The total area of the sanctuary is 17,368.77 hectares.

Vordan Karmir Sanctuary

Established in 1987, in Armavir province between the villages of Argavand, Arazap and Alashkert.

Herher Open Woodland Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1958 for the protection of the open woodlands of juniper. The sanctuary is situated in Vayots Dzor province, in the basin of the Herher river, which is the right affluent of the Arpa river. The total area of reserve is 6139 hectares.

Jermuk Forest Sanctuary

Established in 1981 to protect and preserve the forests of oak and extinct species of animals (bezoar ibex, brown bears). Located in Vayots Dzor province, in the upper basin of the Arpa river.

Plane Grove Sanctuary

This sanctuary was established in 1958 for the protection and preservation of the only Eastern plane grove in the Caucasus. Plane grove sanctuary is situated in Syunik region, on the banks of the Tsav and Shikahogh rivers, near the state reserve of Shikahogh. The total area of the sanctuary is 64 hectares.

Jermuk Hydrological Sanctuary

Was established in 1981 for the protection of hot mineral water springs spread in the area. It is situated in Vayots Dzor province in the upper basin of the Arpa River and has a total area of 18000 hectares.

Sev Lake Sanctuary

It was established in 2001 based on the homonymous state reserve (1987)  for the protection of the natural ecosystem of Sev Lake. The sanctuary is situated in Syunik province on the eastern slope of Mount Ishkhanasar. The total area is 240 hectares.

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