The Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated October 20, 2026, "On the Establishment of the Karabakh National Park of the Republic of Azerbaijan," is regarded as a significant step toward restoring ecological balance, preserving biodiversity, and expanding opportunities for sustainable tourism in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions. Under the Order, a total area of ​​88,418 hectares—comprising state-owned lands within the Aghdara, Khojaly, Kalbajar, Shusha, and Lachin districts—has been designated as a specially protected area and incorporated into the Karabakh National Park.

Abdulrahim Dadashov, Deputy Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, noted that the establishment of the Karabakh National Park should be viewed not merely as an environmental conservation measure, but as an integral component of the region's long-term socio-economic development model. By encompassing two economic regions and diverse natural landscape zones, the National Park establishes a broad territorial framework that enables the management of ecosystems based on a more systematic and unified approach.

The decree identifies the restoration and conservation of biodiversity, the expansion of the network of specially protected natural areas, the sustainable use of natural resources, the enhancement of socio-economic opportunities, and the development of ecotourism among its key objectives. Following the restoration of operations at the Basitchay State Nature Reserve and the Dashalti State Nature Sanctuary in the liberated territories, the establishment of Garabagh National Park is also significant in terms of creating a more systematic network of protected natural areas across these territories.

According to A. Dadashov, this approach is aligned with both the “Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation” and “A Clean Environment and a Country of Green Growth” priorities outlined in the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development.” In addition to the reintegration of the liberated territories into economic activity, the National Priorities identify the preservation of a high-quality environment, the efficient use of natural resources, and the restoration of ecological balance as key areas of focus.

The development of opportunities for health tourism, leisure tourism, and ecotourism—leveraging the region’s natural and cultural potential through the establishment of the Karabakh National Park—aligns with the economic activity directions emerging within the framework of the "Great Return." In this context, it is possible to integrate nature-based tourism products with the transport, accommodation, and service infrastructure currently being developed in areas covered by the National Park, such as Shusha, Lachin, and Kalbajar. Ecotourism can yield more sustainable economic outcomes when organized with due regard for the area's carrying capacity, the zoning of routes, biodiversity monitoring, waste management, and the active involvement of local communities.

The significance of the new National Park from a tourism perspective also aligns with the objectives of the State Program for the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030. Key priorities within this State Program include promoting the development of tourism in the regions, creating competitive tourism products, and stimulating investment in tourism projects. In this context, Karabakh National Park could create a new resource base for the development of nature-based and eco-tourism products.

A. Dadashov added that it would be incorrect to measure the economic impact of the National Park solely by the increase in the number of tourists. A broader value chain should be considered, encompassing opportunities in areas such as ecological guiding, rural and family-run accommodation, local food products, handicrafts, transport services, nature observation, and other small-scale entrepreneurial activities. Furthermore, the establishment of the National Park is significant for promoting the region's natural heritage on an international scale. The scientifically-based conservation of natural ecosystems, the restoration of rare species, and the organized management of ecotourism can ensure that natural heritage—alongside historical and cultural heritage—is more systematically integrated into the tourism offering of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.

It should be noted that the Karabakh National Park incorporates state-owned land as follows: 44,773.79 hectares from the Aghdara district, 24,597.80 hectares from the Khojaly district, 13,514.98 hectares from the Kalbajar district, 5,314.34 hectares from the Shusha district, and 217.09 hectares from the Lachin district. The total area of ​​the National Park is 88,418 hectares.