Basut-Chay State Reserve, Nature reserve in Zangilan District, Azerbaijan
Basut-Chay State Reserve is a protected forest along a river in the southeastern Minor Caucasus covering about 107 hectares. The terrain spans from 630 to 800 meters in elevation and is defined by large, ancient plane trees that dominate the tree composition.
Azerbaijan's government designated this area as a protected zone in 1974 to preserve rare Oriental plane trees that once spread widely across southeastern regions. This action was part of an early effort to safeguard natural forests from decline.
The place reflects Azerbaijan's commitment to environmental stewardship, with local communities viewing this riverside forest as a vital part of their landscape heritage. Visitors can see how the ancient trees connect to the region's identity and daily life.
The area has mild winters and hot summers with moderate temperatures year-round, making spring and autumn pleasant times to visit. The site receives noticeably more rainfall during spring months, which may make the pathways muddy.
The Oriental plane trees cover almost the entire protected area, with individual specimens growing over 50 meters tall. Some of these trees have reached an age of about 1500 years, making them witnesses to thousands of years of local history.
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