Zagatal Nature Reserve

The Zagatal Nature Reserve is one of the oldest nature reserves in Azerbaijan, established in 1929 on the territory of the Azerbaijan SSR. It was formed by merging two other nature reserves - Belokansky and Kakheti-Matshekhsky, with the aim of protecting mountain-forest landscapes and preserving unique flora and fauna. The reserve is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range and covers an area of 25,200 hectares, including 15,772 hectares of forests and 5,830 hectares of meadows. The reserve consists of three sections: Belokansky, Jarsky, and Katekhsky, with sharply rugged terrain, creating unique conditions for diverse ecosystems.