Haftoni plain forests' face with a threat of disappearance

Would it be possible to know the flattening of forests if there was no public awareness of Ecofront? Unfortunately, it is not the first time a similar alarming process happening in Azerbaijan and it is not the first time the public is left aside and it is not the first time Ecofront highlighting the case and updating the public. In 2019 first time Beeco together with Ecofront, traveled to Shaki district’s bulldozed forests and since then, unfortunately, not so much has been changed. This time, Lankaran’s Haftoni plain forests are facing the threat of demolishing.

Why this is happening? “This” means here deforestation and public non-awareness?

As we know cooperations are one of the driving figures of depletion of natural resources. Their sustainable strategies deplete resources, creates inequality which is called resource curse. In this theory this process is closely linked to the existing political system and resources. More info on resource curse can be obtained from https://resourcegovernance.org/sites/default/files/nrgi_Resource-Curse.pdf

However, there are resource-rich countries that overcome the resource curse, which Norway’s case can be an example of. Previously, we have talked about the negative impact of deforestation to the environment (link here). The negative outcomes might include drying up rivers, underground waters, loss of biodiversity and life. Deforestation has social, environmental, and economic implications. https://beecoblogger.blogspot.com/2020/06/drying-up-rivers-kur.html

Half of the Haftoni Plain Forests has been demolished

Azerbaijan is one of the water-scarce countries in which it faces water scarcity and going forward this might get worse if necessary measures won’t be taken.

If we do a bit of background research we will see that similar cases are happening around the world and a major outcome of these similar processes- flattening forests is - these are areas become uninhabitable.

Haftoni plain forests, close to Hirkan National Park are one of the three survived plain forests in the region. Haftoni forests have a rich biodiversity. Unfortunately, these plain forests are threatened with demolishing due to tea plantation plans. Considering global climate change challenges the world faces and also Azerbaijan’s water scarcity problems chopping forests are not feasible for a long term period. The environmental cost of these tea plantations is and would be high, as such unsustainable application of pesticides and fertilizers, intensive water usage will cause environmental pollution.

Untouched Haftoni shrubs and trees

A local person from the Haftoni village says “It has been one month since the bulldozing has been started. The forestry is used to be a recreational and useful area for the locals, like, collecting forest berries for the winter stock, traveling and relaxation area.”

Iron tree wood

Cleared areas

Chopped tree

Chopped tree in Haftoni forests

The local business has cleared out around 5-10 hectares area and the process is still ongoing with the current pause due to media portrayal. The worst fear is that when the mass clearing starts with the cooperative greed on the top it becomes difficult to stop it.

What is unique about Hirkan Forests? According to the researchers, Hirkan forests survived the ice age periods, which is extremely rare. This lush subtropical forest hosts more than 150 tree and shrub species, and also rich with animals, insects. The forest’s unique physical features allowed it to be selected for the UNESCO World Heritage nomination.