May 23 is the professional holiday of employees of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) in Azerbaijan. This date is not just a professional holiday, but also an expression of appreciation for the work done to protect the country's natural resources, ensure ecological safety, and create a healthy environment for future generations.
After Azerbaijan restored its independence, the need for a unified state policy in the field of environmental protection arose. For this purpose, by the decree of national leader Heydar Aliyev dated May 23, 2001, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was established. The new body united state management in the fields of ecology, nature protection, geology, hydrometeorology, forestry, and fisheries in a single center.
Six years later, on May 16, 2007, by the order of President Ilham Aliyev, May 23 was declared the professional holiday of employees of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.
MENR is the main state body responsible for ensuring the ecological safety of Azerbaijan. The ministry implements state policy in the areas of environmental protection, efficient use of natural resources, geological exploration, hydrometeorological observations and forecasting in the country's territory, as well as in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
The scope of the ministry's activities is broad: protection and restoration of forests; management of specially protected natural areas; conservation of biodiversity; combating climate change; protection of water resources and land fund; geological research; monitoring of air and water basins; hydrometeorological observations; ecological education and promotion of public control.
Over the past two decades, a number of important projects have been implemented in Azerbaijan in the field of environmental protection. The creation of national parks and reserves, forest restoration, greening campaigns, protection of the Caspian Sea, improvement of waste management, and strengthening of the environmental monitoring system have been the main directions of this policy.
During the period of MENR's activity, several new national parks have been created, and the area of specially protected natural territories has been expanded. The establishment of Absheron National Park, Goygol National Park, Korchay State Nature Reserve, and other ecologically important areas are considered important steps for the conservation of Azerbaijan's biodiversity.
In recent years, the effects of climate change have become more pronounced globally. Global temperature rise, water scarcity, extreme weather events, and desertification risks are also relevant challenges for Azerbaijan. Therefore, MENR's activities are no longer limited to nature protection. The ministry also performs important functions in assessing climate risks, establishing early warning systems, preparing weather forecasts, and reducing environmental impacts. In particular, the activity of the hydrometeorological service plays an important role in timely informing the population during floods, mudflows, and other natural risks.
Restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories has also created new ecological opportunities. In Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, work is being carried out to restore the forest fund, monitor water resources, study biodiversity, and assess the ecological situation. The creation of "green energy" zones in these areas and the application of sustainable development principles have become an important part of Azerbaijan's environmental policy.
The work of MENR is often not visible to the public eye. However, every day, foresters serving in forests, meteorologists preparing weather forecasts, laboratory staff analyzing soil and water samples, geologists, ecologists, and other specialists do important work to protect the country's natural resources. Thanks to their activities, forest fires are prevented, natural monuments are preserved, rare animal and plant species are protected, and the population is promptly informed about weather and natural phenomena.
In modern times, ecology is no longer just a matter of nature protection. It is a field directly related to economic development, human health, food security, and national security. At a time when the transition to a green economy is accelerating worldwide, the importance of environmental policy is increasing even more. In this sense, May 23 is not only a professional holiday for MENR employees but also a significant day reminding that nature protection is the responsibility of every citizen. The labor of thousands of people working in the field of ecology plays a special role in passing on Azerbaijan's forests, rivers, mountains, biodiversity, and natural resources to future generations in a healthy state. This day is also an expression of the value given to the work of these people.
