Azerbaijan releases video on Zangilan's Aghali village

Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil has released a video about Zangilan's Aghali village.

The video includes footage taken in the Gubadli and Zangilan districts, which are part of the East Zangazur economic region, Azernews reports.

One of Azerbaijan's most picturesque corners, Zangilan was hard to recognize after 30 years of occupation.

Despite the fact that several years have passed since the glorious victory, Zangilan is changing at an accelerated pace. Three years have passed since Zangilan was returned to its true owners and one year has passed since the first residents were relocated to Aghali village.

The first "smart village" project was implemented in Aghali village of Zangilan district by order of President Ilham Aliyev. The village was rebuilt and all necessary conditions were created for the comfortable living of people. On 19 July this year, residents of Aghali will celebrate 1 year since the return.

Before the occupation, Zangilan was a favorite holiday destination in the summer months due to its thermal springs, fresh air, and wide pastures. It is located in a strategically important place: in the southwest of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the border with Armenia and Iran. The Bargushad ridge (Mount Susan, 1304 m), which enters the territory of the district from the northwest, descends, forming between Bazarchay and Ohchuchay a white flat plain (height 400-600 m). In the northeast, the slopes of the Karabakh ridge descending to the Araz and Khakari rivers pass into the hilly Geyan steppe.

The climate in this region is predominantly mild. The Araz, Okhchuchay, Khakari, and Basitchay rivers flow through the territory of the district. Zangilan is rich in such minerals as building stone, lime, gold, black marble, and others.

Zangilan is the second-largest gold deposit in the country after Kalbajar. The natural resources of the region by 2020 have been looted for almost 30 years: everything from gold to ornamental stones has been appropriated.

Gold stolen from Soyudlu in Kalbajar and Vejneli in Zangilan was sold on foreign exchanges and the proceeds were deposited in the country's banks.

Zangilan Chinar forest is a source of green charm and gives a special and incomparable beauty to the Zangilan district. Zangilan chinar trees are one of the 8 species of plane trees growing in the world. Zangilan chinar trees form the basis of plane tree species widespread in Azerbaijan. This species of chinar is called the eastern chinar. At the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the chinar forest in Zangilan with an area of about 120 hectares fully belonged to Azerbaijan.

Zangilan is a region with high tourist potential. Beshitchay State Reserve with an area of 107 hectares, Arazboy Reserve with an area of 2.2 thousand hectares, 4 natural monuments, 10 thousand hectares of specially protected Araz oak forest, 12 864 hectares of state forest fund, up to 1200 natural springs, mineral springs corresponding in composition to Essentuki-4, Turshsu mineral springs.

In the national park "Beshichay", founded in 1974, there are rare trees, some of which are 1200-1500 years old. All this is an indicator of the region's tourism potential. Occupied in 1993, Zangilan was liberated from the enemy as a result of a successful counter-offensive launched in Karabakh by the Azerbaijani army on 27 September 2020. However, as a result of the 30-year occupation, the wealth of Zangilan was destroyed by the enemy, and the infrastructure was destroyed.

The report presents a video film reflecting heartbreaking footage of the village taken during the liberation from the occupation in 2020 and the present-day appearance of the village.