Azerbaijani Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry calculates damage caused by arson in occupied lands

63.5 thousand hectares of pasture ground, hayland and greenery have been destroyed and upper fertile layer of soil become useless. 47 species of plants and 19 species of trees a number of flora and fauna those included in Red Book have been perished.

The ministry has appealed to a number of international organizations as well as Secretariat of Bern Convention for on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats in connection with the Armenian arsons in the occupied Azerbaijani province of Nagorno Garabagh and other occupied regions.

Head of Biological Diversity Division of the Council of Europe Eladio Fernandez-Galiano has replied to the appeal. He stated in the letter of response that the Council of Europe is closely engaged in conservation of natural habitats, especially those protected by the Bern Convention. He thinks plant cover of the region has undergone degradation as a result of these arsons, and it should be regarded as harmful. The Council of Europe expressed its intention to participate in the implementation of proposals offered by the OSCE. APA