resources of Azerbaijan environmental damage inflicted on the internally displaced persons
who were ousted from their native lands damage equal to 31,72 billion manat was inflicted.
Overall forest cover has nominally increased from 11.4% of the country’s surface area to 11.8
% of the country’s surface area) during the period of review (Figure 1), due to active forest
rehabilitation programmes.
The conversion of the lowland grasslands into agricultural land, through ploughing and scrub
removal, is fragmenting many remaining areas of natural steppes. A number of steppe
ecosystems are also being further fragmented by the extensive network of irrigation channels,
particularly in the Kura-Araz plain.
The construction of dams and reservoirs on the major rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea has
created obstacles that are effectively fragmenting riverine habitats for some key species. For
example, the construction of the Mingechevir and Bahramtapa reservoirs on the Kura and Araz
rivers has reduced the breeding areas for anadromous sturgeon species because they are now
unable to pass the dams to reach upstream breeding areas.
1.3.3 Unsustainable levels of natural resource use
Land degradation in the grasslands and semi-arid areas of Azerbaijan is increasing at a rapid
rate, largely as a result of overgrazing. Livestock husbandry in Azerbaijan is very profitable, so
there is continual pressure to increase the size of herds of livestock (mainly sheep, goats and
cattle) well beyond the carrying capacity of the vegetation. Recent monitoring of livestock
shows that the number of animals per hectare is 10-50 times higher than the grazing norm in
some areas, and even more in other areas. This is resulting in the incremental increase in both
the extent of the areas under grazing pressure, and the intensity of the grazing pressure. The
intensive use of pastures in many areas - such as in the Absheron and Gobustan area – is also
resulting in accelerated soil erosion, and the increasing desertification of land. Further,
aadditional herds have also been brought in by refugees and ‘Internal Displaced Persons’ (IDP)
from the occupied districts around the Daghlig-Garabagh (Nagorno Karabakh) region. Many of
the animals owned by these communities are now concentrated in areas that are largely
unsuitable for livestock, for a variety of reasons, including competition for water and food near
settlements and exclusion from summer grazing areas due to conflicts in some mountainous
areas. Many winter grounds are now being utilized for livestock grazing throughout the year.
In theory, while all hunting is strictly regulated in Azerbaijan, in reality illegal hunting - for
both subsistence and commercial purposes - of wildbirds and game species is still widespread
and relatively poorly controlled.
Overfishing - driven by subsistence uses, the demand of local consumers and international
demand for black caviar - is widespread in the Caspian Sea and spawning rivers. In spring,
spawning sturgeon in the shallow warmer waters often become the victims of illegal poachers.
Indiscriminate methods – such as the use of explosives, electric shocking and poisoning - are
threatening stocks of sturgeon and other fish species. The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) has now listed all sturgeon species as threatened, including all
commercial Caspian varieties. The regulation of fishing licenses and quotas are also not always
effectively administered by some of the Caspian littoral states. The volume of fish caught on
quota between 2009 and 2012 is shown in Figure 2 below.
for irrigation
and
agriculture;
5772; 70%
Of the approximately 1 billion m
the inefficient water distribution systems
for 2012 is shown below (Figure 2). Of the water used, 70% is sourced from neighbouring
countries, and there is currently an annual water def
Based on the annual report of the State Statistical Committee (2012), 12
was extracted from natural sources in 2012, some 434 mln. m
this, only 8 249 mln.m
3
was actu
and agriculture, 2 098 mln. m
3
water, while 4 236 mln. m
3
(34%) was lost in transit. The water use per capita has reduced from
1 438 m
3
in 2005 to 1 336 m
3
(in %) of water, by different sectors, for 2012.
Figure 3: Breakdown of water usage in A
1.3.4 Pollution
Although several actions have recently been taken to clean up the country
and the Absheron peninsula -
Of particular concern is the limited infrastructure and capacity for effective
particularly in many rural areas and smaller towns.
1082
1061
Figure 2: Volume (in tons) of fish caught on quota (2009
for domestic and
drinking
purposes; 279;
3%
for industrial
for irrigation
for other
purposes; 90;
1%
Of the approximately 1 billion m
3
of fresh water used each year, just under 35% is lost due to
inefficient water distribution systems in Azerbaijan. The breakdown of water usage levels
for 2012 is shown below (Figure 2). Of the water used, 70% is sourced from neighbouring
countries, and there is currently an annual water deficit in the country of ~400 million m
Based on the annual report of the State Statistical Committee (2012), 12 484 mln m
was extracted from natural sources in 2012, some 434 mln. m
3
(3,5 %) less than in 2005. Of
was actually consumed. Some 5 772 mln. m
3
was used for irrigation
3
for industry and 279 mln. m
3
for domestic purposes and potable
(34%) was lost in transit. The water use per capita has reduced from
3
in 2008 and to 1 361 m
3
in 2012. Figure 3 below shows the
(in %) of water, by different sectors, for 2012.
: Breakdown of water usage in Azerbaijan (2012)
Although several actions have recently been taken to clean up the country - particularly in Baku
severe pollution can still be found in many areas of the country.
Of particular concern is the limited infrastructure and capacity for effective waste management
particularly in many rural areas and smaller towns.
3976
1082
1061
910
2: Volume (in tons) of fish caught on quota (2009-2012)
for industrial
needs; 2098;
26%
r 35% is lost due to
in Azerbaijan. The breakdown of water usage levels
for 2012 is shown below (Figure 2). Of the water used, 70% is sourced from neighbouring
icit in the country of ~400 million m
3
.
484 mln m
3
of water
(3,5 %) less than in 2005. Of
was used for irrigation
for domestic purposes and potable
(34%) was lost in transit. The water use per capita has reduced from
below shows the use
particularly in Baku
severe pollution can still be found in many areas of the country.
waste management,
2009
2010
2011
2012
2012)