Ag-Gel National Park
Azerbaijani national park protecting marsh birds and Lake Ağgöl.
Ag-Gel National Park (Azerbaijani: Ağ göl Milli Parkı) is a national park of Azerbaijan, established on July 5, 2003, in the Ağcabədi Rayon and Beyləqan Rayon administrative districts. It was created on the basis of the former Ag-Gol State Reserve and Ag-Gol State Game Reserve, covering a surface area of 17,924 hectares (179.24 km²). The park is significant for protecting the marshy ecological system and serving as a nesting and wintering place for migratory and water birds.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Ağcabədi Rayon / Beyləqan Rayon
- Area
- 17924 ha
- Governing Body
- Republic of Azerbaijan / Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ag-Gel National Park is situated in the Mil plain of the Kur-Araz lowlands, featuring a semi-desert landscape. It is an important overwintering and nesting place for birds, with over 140 species found in the park, including 89 nesting species such as partridge, spoonbill, swan, teal, and bustard. Some bird species, including Francolinus, white-tailed eagle, great white pelicans, and Dalmatian pelicans, are listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan.
Reader's Guide
The park was established on July 5, 2003, superseding the former Ag-Gol State Reserve and Ag-Gol State Game Reserve. It encompasses Lake Ağgöl, which was declared an Important Bird Area and placed on the list of Ramsar wetlands of international importance in 2001. The park is designed to protect the marshy ecological system, particularly as nesting and wintering grounds for migratory and water birds. It has been incorporated into the list of UNESCO's convention on internationally important marshy areas as residing places for birds. The park also hosts 20 fish species, 22 mammal species (including wild boar, coypu, and jungle cat), and various reptiles and amphibians. Its significance lies in its role as a critical habitat for diverse bird species, many of which are threatened, and its recognition under international conservation frameworks.
Did You Know?
- Ag-Gel National Park was established on July 5, 2003, on a surface area of 17,924 hectares.
- Lake Ağgöl, within the park, was declared a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2001.
- Over 140 species of birds are found in the park, including 89 nesting species.
- Some bird species, such as the white-tailed eagle and Dalmatian pelican, are listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ag-Gel National Park?
Ag-Gel National Park is a protected landscape in Azerbaijan classified as a national park (IUCN Category II). It was formed by merging two earlier protected zones—the Ag-Gol State Reserve and the Ag-Gol State Game Reserve—into one unified managed area.
Where is Ag-Gel National Park located?
The park stretches across two administrative districts in Azerbaijan: Ağcabədi Rayon and Beyləqan Rayon. Its ecological centerpiece is Lake Ağgöl, a wetland that earned Ramsar Convention recognition as a site of international importance in 2001.
How large is Ag-Gel National Park?
The park encompasses roughly 17,924 hectares, or about 179 square kilometers, of marshland, wetlands, and surrounding terrain.
Why is Ag-Gel National Park ecologically important?
The park safeguards a marshy ecosystem that functions as a vital breeding and wintering habitat for migratory and waterfowl species. Its wetlands, especially those around Lake Ağgöl, sustain bird populations whose range extends well beyond Azerbaijan's borders.
When was Ag-Gel National Park established?
The park was officially created on July 5, 2003, when the Azerbaijani government consolidated the two predecessor reserves into a single national park designation.
More in IUCN Category II 1-24
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