Significance of assessment of ecogeographic conditions in the Eastern Zangezur area

This article discusses the characteristic features of the landscapes of Eastern Zangezur, which is part of various landscape zones and belts, including the mid-mountain and high-mountain belts of the Azerbaijani part of the Lesser Caucasus, and the possibility of forest reclamation, and the placement of tourism, industrial, energy, and agricultural facilities within its territory, taking into account the relief conditions. It is necessary to assess its condition in the post-occupation period based on expeditionary and desk studies. In the analyzed topographic map, it can be observed that the absolute height of the region increases towards the west. Absolute altitudes in the region’s western part fluctuate between 2,000 and 3,000 meters, and in the eastern part between 1,200 and 1,800 meters. This situation must be considered during the restoration of economic activity in the territories of Lachin and Kalbajar, as well as during the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. The analysis of the 1:100,000 scale topographic map shows that within the Lachin administrative region, mountain-forest areas are distributed along the river valleys, especially in the upper reaches of the Hochazsu and Shalva rivers flowing through the area. The newly constructed Gubadli-Lachin highway passes near these forests, extending east and north of the region. These forests can be important international and local tourism sites under favourable economic conditions. Within the administrative region of Lachin, in the north and west of Minkend village, towards the border of Armenia, the absolute heights fluctuate between 2,000 and 3,400 meters. In this area, the slight slopes of the surfaces show favourable opportunities for developing the tourism industry and traditional agricultural sectors. There is a need to clarify the location of mountain-forest massifs in Eastern Zangezur, including the Lachin region. In this regard, materials for visual and instrumental interpretation of high-resolution space photographs can be significant. All scientific research to be conducted in the territory of the Lachin region should be comprehensive. At this time, all aspects of the anthropogenic impact on the environment, including the restoration of settlements and the construction of road infrastructure, cannot be ignored.