Bio-diversity

Khosrov Forest State Reserve (hereinafter mentioned as Khosrov) is one of Armenia s gems of nature. Established in 1958, it covers the area of 23878 ha and attracts many tourists from Armenia and abroad due to its close proximity to the capital and extraordinary diversity of biological resources, landscapes and historical heritage. Visitors have been attracted by picturesque landscapes varying from semi-deserts to highland meadows, unforgettable mountainous scenery, rich biodiversity with many endangered species (black vulture, leopard, Armenian viper, bezoar goat) and numerous monuments of Armenian history like cross stones (khachkars), churches and fortresses. Ecotourism is a rapidly growing local industry allowing to improve local livelihood, enforce conservation of the reserve s unique assets and generate alternative incomes for the reserve and its neighbouring communities. The first steps of ecotourism development in Khosrov, such as establishment of the visitor centre and camp site in Garni district, should be promoted also in the central part of this protected area so that to ensure wide and spatially balanced coverage by tourist visitations. This SGP project intends to support the (1) establishment of a ranger station and campsite in the buffer zone of the reserve s Khosrov district; (2) production and set-up of information billboards and road signs inside the Khosrov and Khachadzor districts and outside of protected area; (3) acquisition of tents, binoculars and spotting scopes for visitors; (4) professional training of the reserve s staff and local people about implementation and monitoring of nature conservation and ecotourism; (5) updating the current website www.khosrov.am with text, pictures and downloads telling about the GEF SGP and other ongoing projects; and (6) production and distribution of brochures and booklets about conservation and ecotourism development in Khosrov. This project is in line with the item BD1 Catalyze sustainability of protected areas at national levels of GEF-4 strategic priorities by focal areas and will support the implementation of Khosrov Forest State Reserve Management Plan. Co-funding comes from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Armenian branch and ASSOGAL Toscana organization which support the construction, furnishing and equipping of the tourist centre, preparation of the tourist package, and architectural designing. Local communities will provide non-monetary in-kind contribution to construction of the tourist centre and to arrangement of the ranger station and camp site in terms of human resources and some equipment. See the project photostory at: http://www.youtube.com/watch v=ISOH26fpVkM (Englsih version)

Armenia