BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 17. On July 16, Leyla
Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder
and head of IDEA Public Union, participated in the opening of the
“National Parks – 12 Wonders of Azerbaijan” photo exhibition
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s environmental
protection efforts, Trend reports.
The exhibition, organized by IDEA Public Union at the Seaside
Park, offers an inspiring photographic journey through the nature,
rich flora and fauna of specially protected areas and national
parks, reflecting the unique biodiversity of Azerbaijan.
The systematic environmental protection in Azerbaijan began with
the establishment of the country’s first state reserve – the Goygol
Nature Reserve – in 1925. Azerbaijan is currently home to 12
national parks, 9 state nature reserves, and 24 state nature
sanctuaries.
National parks are a fundamental pillar of Azerbaijan’s state
policy on environmental protection. In 2013, at the initiative of
Leyla Aliyeva, the “7 Wonders of Azerbaijan” film project was
launched to raise awareness of this policy. As the number of the
national parks grew, the project was renamed “12 Wonders of
Azerbaijan”. Most recently, by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev
dated July 14, 2025, two more national parks – Akhar-Bakhar and
Ilisu – were established in Azerbaijan.
Under the guidance of Leyla Aliyeva, the project produced eight
documentaries and hundreds of photos, reaching millions of viewers
on social media. This photo exhibition stands as one of many
impactful outcomes of that project. The photos on display not only
showcase the natural wonders of Azerbaijan but also play a vital
role in raising environmental awareness. They help visitors
appreciate the importance of environmental protection and gain a
deeper understanding of humanity’s responsibility toward the
environment.
The national parks featured in the project titled “12 Wonders of
Azerbaijan” span diverse geographical regions and ecosystems across
the country. This collection includes Zangezur National Park named
after Academician Hasan Aliyev, Aggol National Park, Shirvan
National Park, Hirkan National Park, Altiaghaj National Park,
Absheron National Park, Shahdag National Park, Goygol National
Park, Samur-Yalama National Park, Gizilaghaj National Park,
Akhar-Bakhar National Park and Ilisu National Park. These parks are
crucial in safeguarding and promoting Azerbaijan’s rich natural
heritage.
The photos on display throughout the summer at the Seaside Park
are the work of acclaimed photographers Igor Byshnyov, Ilya
Byshnyov, Natalya Teterevskaya and Nikita Byshnyov.
