A TOURISM CENTER TO OPERATE IN KHOSROV RESERVE
ArmInfo
2009-12-16 09:20:00
ArmInfo. A tourism center will operate in Khosrov reserve.
Head of World Wildlife Fund-Armenia (WWF-Armenia) Karen Manvelyan told
ArmInfo correspondent that it is envisaged to open the center in the
central section of Khosroc reserve. "Here tourists will be able to
receive not only all the necessary information, but also stay for a
night if they wish. 2 or 3 rooms will be provided for this purpose",-
Manvelyan said. Since 2002 the World Wildlife Fund has implemented
3 projects worth $500 thsd in Khosrov reserve. Under these projects
of the reserve employees received cars, binoculars and uniforms. In
addition, 5 routes were created, as well as information posters and
warning signs were installed in the reserve territory for tourists.
At the moment the third WWF project funded by the Norwegian government
is being completed. Manvelyan said that it aims to develop eco-tourism
in Khosrov reserve. He added that taking into account the fact that
starting 2010 Khosrov reserve will be financially supported by the
Caucasus Protected Areas Fund, WWF will shortly complete its projects
in the reserve and start supporting other protected areas.
Khosrov reserve was created in 1958. A total of 1849 species of
plants, that make up over half of Armenia’s flora (3500 species)
and one-third of the Caucasus’ flora (nearly 6 thsd species) grow in
an area of 23878 ha. Here one can also find such animals included
in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of
Nature as leopard, Armenian moufflon, and bezoar goat. To note,
a forum dedicated to implementation of a number of programmes in
Khosrov reserve started in Yerevan today. Representatives of NGOs,
Armenian Nature Protection Ministry and National Academy of Sciences
of Armenia participated in the forum.