Garchay

Garchay (Korchay) State Nature Sanctuary is a protected area in Goranboy district, Azerbaijan, covering about 150 square kilometres^[1]. It lies between the Kura lowland and the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus and was set up in 1961 to protect the Persian gazelle.

The sanctuary was founded to protect the Persian (goitered) gazelle, a species of the dry lowlands of Azerbaijan.

The dry lowland and foothill zone has semi-desert and dry-steppe vegetation typical of the Kura lowland.

The sanctuary lies where the Kura plain meets the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus.

The area has a dry continental climate, with hot summers, cool winters and low rainfall.

The Goranboy area has long been farmed and used as winter pasture.

The sanctuary was established in 1961 and covers about 15,000 hectares.

The sanctuary's interest is its gazelles and open dry landscape; no trails are documented in the sources.

The nearest city is Ganja, about 35 km away. No visitor facilities are documented.

The sanctuary is managed by Azerbaijan's ministry for ecology and natural resources^[1], and was created specifically to protect the Persian gazelle.