INTERVIEWS

3.02.2010 13:57

Important projects to be implemented during Year of Ecology

Interview with Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyn Bagirov

Q: 2010 was designated as Year of Ecology. Please tell us about the projects to be implemented this year.
A: National leader Heydar Aliyev always paid attention to improvement of environment. This policy was successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Designation of 2010 as Year of Ecology is an evidence of President Ilham Aliyev`s care for environmental issues. Important projects will be realized during the Year of Ecology.
Q: World community always keeps in focus of its attention the supply of population with drinking water. President Ilham Aliyev`s work is yielding fruits already unlike some developed countries. Please tells us about the progress achieved.
A: We had to use polluted water from Georgia and Armenia before. Under the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev, about 225 thousand people were provided with water meeting WHO standards. Using of non-processed water will end. We will solve this problem by 2012.
Q: Important work is being done to clean Caspian coastal area and improve environment. Tells about the current situation.
A: Azerbaijan is the only country among Caspian nations to implement major projects to improve Caspian environment. Under the presidential decree, 17 modular water purification stations will be installed on the Absheron peninsular. For the first time in 30 years water components were within the standard.
Q: How do you clearn oil-polluted areas?
A: It is good we can see the reuslts of our work. Positive results were achieved in cleaning Baku bay, Bibiheybat zone, Heydar Aliyev International airport`s zone, Absheron peninsular lakes, oil polluted areas. It allowed achieving a breakthrough.
Q: Under President Ilham Aliyev`s recommendations and instructions, greening work became widespread in every region of Azerbaijan.
A: 172 thousand trees were planed along the Baku-Alat-Hajikabul highway and 230 thousand along the Zig-Airport highway. The forest areas were enlarged by 60-70 thousand hectares over the past 8-9 years.
Greening area will be expanded by 4 thousand hectares.
Q: What about establishment of the Zoo Park?
A: Under the presidential order, the Zoo Park will be created in Baku. The tender for establishment of the park was won by Turkey-Germany Company. The park will be located in the territory of 200 hectares. The animals will be almost free there. It is going to be the first specialized zoo park in the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia.
Q: You are the President of the Federation of Air and Extreme Sports Federation. The expedition led by you conquared Andes. Please tell us about it.
A: First of all, the expedition fulfilled all tasks. The expedition conquered Aconcagua mountain in Argentina. We installed Azerbaijan flag, a pennant with national leader Heydar Aliyev`s words “I am proud to be Azerbaijani” and President Ilham Aliyev`d portrait with words Ahead with Azerbaijan towards new peaks with Ilham. A transparency saying “Year of Ecology in Azerbaijan – For the Green World” was raised.