The sycamore forests in Zangilan

                      

       Zangilan's sycamore forest is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Canada 

       Along with material and cultural monuments, Azerbaijan is also distinguished by the richness of its flora and fauna. From this point of view, Zangilan is one of the most attractive regions of our country. According to the famous 14th century geographer and historian Hamdullah Qazvini, the Zangilan region has attracted attention since ancient times with its dense forests, fertile valleys, green vegetation and abundant rivers. The sycamore forest occupies an important place in the richness of flora and fauna not only of Zangilan region, but also of the whole of Azerbaijan. Sources prove that the natural sycamore forest located in the Basitchay basin, Zangilan region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is the second, perhaps the first forest in the world in terms of physical health and appearance of trees. Geographer Ogtay Alakbarov notes that The plane tree (Platanus) is a plant species of the plane tree family and is considered to be a relic of the flora of the third period of the Cainozoic era, which has a very ancient history. Other authors and geographers note that the Zangilan plane tree is unique for its appearance, physical condition, and unique bioecological features, and is called the pearl of the flora of the East, and the giant tree of the South for its magnificent trunk and charm.

   

           The sycamore forest is a very rare source of greenery and charm, giving a special, irreplaceable beauty to the Zangilan region. Zangilan plane trees were one of the 8 species of plane trees growing in the world. It is known that two species of sycamore trees of cultural origin and wild species have disappeared in Azerbaijan. Zangilan plane trees are the basis of the plane tree species spread in Azerbaijan. This type of plane tree is called Oriental plane tree or finger-leaved plane tree. The eastern plane tree is widespread in a number of regions of the world, including the foothills of Greece, the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, the islands of Cyprus, Crete and Rhodes, Asia Minor and Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. At the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the plane tree in Zangilan, with an area of ​​about 120 hectares, belonged entirely to Azerbaijan.

                       

     In the first years of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan, with the transfer of Zangazur lands to Armenia, part of the plane tree forest in the Basitchay valley - along the Khachin River and Shikhavuz river valleys - remained in the villages of Nerkin-Hand, Sav and Shikhavuz in the present-day Gafan region of Armenia. Thus, the Armenians occupied part of the plane tree forest at the hands of former Soviet patrons for a while.Now these trees are also liberated like other our lands by Azerbaijanian Army

   On the initiative of prominent natural scientist, academician Hasan Aliyev, Basitchay State Nature Reserve covering 117 hectares was established in Zangilan region by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan SSR dated July 4, 1974 to protect the plane tree forest, which is a unique natural monument. Unfortunately, in 1980, the total area of ​​the sycamore forest decreased by 10 hectares to 107 hectares. According to estimates, the total area of ​​sycamore forests in Azerbaijan is about 120  hectares. Zangilan's sycamore forest is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Canada. Today, the image of the Eastern plane tree leaf on the flag of the State of Canada has long been a symbol of Canada. However, many authors even conclude in their research that Zangilan's plane tree forest - East plane plane forest is the largest forest strip in the world. 

   

     Researcher, geographer Oktay Alakbarov, based on his research, came to the conclusion that Zangilan's sycamore forest is the largest sycamore forest on Earth and the first in the world in terms of the size of this forest massif. According to our scientists, Oriental plane trees are fast-growing, drought-resistant and long-lived trees. Planes can live up to 200-300 years. The plane tree is also considered very valuable in terms of its use for various purposes. Its materials are used as building materials, parquet, furniture, shipbuilding, as well as landscaping as decorative wood. 

"Zangilan's sycamore forest has attracted the attention of not only local specialists and geographers, but also prominent researchers of world science. Researcher, geographer Ogtay Alakbarov writes in his article" Zangilan's sycamore forest ". Representatives of the expedition got acquainted with the Zangilan plane trees, collected detailed information about their height, diameter, features, appearance and talked about them in their writings. According to scientists, plane trees tend to spread along the river. It sprouts, grows and grows more naturally. In this regard, formed in Zangilan region, the giant and beautiful sycamore forest begins on the eastern slopes of the Zangazur Range and spreads over an area of ​​12-15 kilometers along the flowing Basitchay.

As a result of the Armenian aggression, the Zangilan plane tree forest, like our other historical and cultural monuments, was savagely looted by our hated neighbors.

After the next military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan on September 27, our army launched counter-offensives and liberated a number of territories in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the city of Zangilan, a number of villages, Minjivan and Agband settlements, including the plane tree forest. We are confident that our liberated territories will become prosperous and charming places by our state. Also, the former condition, appearance, beauty and charm of the sycamore forest will be restored and will be in the center of the world's attention again.