Geopark to Be Established in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik Provinces

The Minister of Environment, Romanos Petrosyan, met with Lilith Sahakyan, Deputy Director of the Geological Sciences Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and Ara Avagyan, Head of the Geodynamics and Geological Hazards Laboratory. The discussion focused on the project initiated by the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia titled “Geopark as a Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Development and Environmental Protection in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik Provinces.”

A geopark is a specially protected area where the geological history of the Earth, the formation of local landscapes, deposits of useful minerals, and the mass preservation of prehistoric animal fossils are explicitly revealed.

The selection of the geopark area in the Republic of Armenia is based on accumulated knowledge in geology, as well as the long-term experience of the program participants. The level of development in the provinces and the need for additional economic stimulation were also taken into account.

The first geopark in Armenia will encompass approximately 4,400 square kilometers, accounting for 14.7% of the country's territory. It will include 102 community areas. The terrain is mountainous, featuring absolute elevations ranging from 1019 to 3595 meters. There are six climatic subzones present, ranging from arid land (hot summers and cold winters) to mountain tundra.

The establishment of geoparks will contribute to raising awareness of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik Provinces, promote the formation and rooting of eco-education and ecological culture in the regions, and ensure proper orientation and behavioral formation regarding environmental protection, natural resource management, and ecological safety.

The minister assured his partners that all efforts would be made to combine the potential and expertise of the Ministry of Environment and the specialists of the National Academy of Sciences to enhance collaboration.

The image portrays the area designated for Armenia’s first geopark, along with the included provinces and communities.