Gakh

Gakh State Nature Sanctuary is an extensive forest sanctuary along the northwestern Greater Caucasus in Gakh district, Azerbaijan, covering about 368 square kilometres. It was created in 2003^[1].

The sanctuary protects endangered animal species of the Greater Caucasus forests and mountains.

Forest covers the Caucasus slopes of the sanctuary, with meadows at higher elevations.

The sanctuary lies on the southern flank of the Greater Caucasus, a mountain range cut by steep river valleys.

The Gakh foothills have a humid climate, and the high Caucasus above them are cooler with heavy winter snow.

Gakh district in northwestern Azerbaijan has long been a mountain-and-foothill farming and herding area.

The sanctuary was established in 2003 and covers 36,836 hectares; it borders the Ilisu Nature Reserve^[1].

The sanctuary's attraction is the forest and mountain landscape; no trails are documented in the sources.

The nearest town is Gakh, about 18 km away. No visitor facilities are documented.

The sanctuary is managed by Azerbaijan's ministry for ecology and natural resources to protect endangered animal species and their forest habitat, and adjoins the Ilisu Nature Reserve^[1].