In response to media reports titled “Half of 60 hectares of the largest natural Platanus grove in the Caucasus passed to Azerbaijan”, the Ministry of Environment informs the following:

“The information does not correspond to reality․ “Platanus” Park Reserve under the protection of “Zangezur” Biosphere Complex SNCO, having the area of 64.2 hectares, is located within the state borders of the Republic of Armenia.

It should be reminded that “Platanus” Park Reserve was established in accordance with the decision N 341 of 13 September, 1958 of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR. It is located on the bank of the Tsav River, which passes at the foot of the northern macro slope of the Meghri mountain range in the Syunik region of Southern Armenia, in the floodplain part of the valley, at an altitude of 700-750 m.

Until 2004, the “Platanus” Park State Reserve was part of the Kapan forestry, which, in fact, did not have levers to ensure protection. “Platanus” Park State Reserve was handed over without any change in the status of the state reserve in accordance with the RA Government Decision No. 1044-N of July 15, 2004 “On Making Amendments and Addenda to the Decision N 926-N of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of May 30, 2002” Subordinated to Shikahogh State Reserve State Non-Commercial Organization in order to effectively organize conservation and restoration work.

“According to the RA Government’s decision N1401-N of 7 September, 2006, as a result of specifying and mapping the borders of “Platanus” Park State Reserve, the size of the reserve area was 64.2 hectares,” the statement reads.

It should be reminded that such information was spread by the leader of the “Green Future” environmental movement Vahagn Varagyan. He noted that half of the 60 hectares of the largest natural Platanus grove in the Caucasus passed to Azerbaijan.