Half of Azerbaijan’s population live in areas exposed to salinization

World 18:35 29.06.2020

Half of Azerbaijan’s population live in areas partially exposed to salinization and desertification, Maharram Hasanov, Deputy Director at Institute of Geography under Azerbaijan’s National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) said, EDNews.net reports citing Trend.

“Of Azerbaijan's 10 million population, 6 million live in areas partially affected by salinization and desertification”, Hasanov said.

The expert noted that the process of desertification, which has become a major global problem in the world, covering a quarter of the globe and observed in 110 countries, is one of the important issues that are on the minds of Azerbaijani scientists.

Hasanov added that 60 per cent of the country area consists of subtropical areas prone to desertification, and the Mil plain, located in the Kur-Araz lowland, is one of the most intensive areas of desertification.

Furthermore, he said that a further increase in the number of sand dunes in the Mil plain may result in the rapid degradation of the lands.

It should be noted that the process of desertification in Azerbaijan occurs mainly in the foothills, plains and lowlands as a result of natural, especially anthropogenic factors. The average annual precipitation in these areas fluctuates between 150-400 mm, which is 3-4 times more than the amount of surface evaporation precipitation. The climate is semi-desert and dry steppe.

The desertification process is more typical for the Kur-Araz lowland. The anthropogenic desertification process has intensified in recent years due to population growth, settlement of refugees and IDPs, increasing demand for agriculture, including livestock.

The process of desertification in the Kur-Araz lowland is ongoing more intensively in the Shirvan plain.

Desertification also occurs mainly in the Absheron Peninsula due to soil and oil waste pollution. The discharge of oil products and large amounts of drilling water to the surface also causes groundwater levels to rise and the soil to become re-saline.

The project "Capacity Building for Joint and Sustainable Land Use" has been implemented since 2006 with the technical assistance of the UNDP Office in Azerbaijan and the Global Environment Facility.

In 2011, Azerbaijan joined The European Landscape Convention of the Council of Europe promotes the protection, management and planning of the landscapes and organises international co-operation on landscape issues.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Geno rejects signing of 38-year-old Jamie Vardy
21:00 07.07.2025
Gaza death toll passes 57,500 as Israeli attacks continue unabated
20:45 07.07.2025
Russian emergencies minister arrives in Baku
20:25 07.07.2025
Trump due to meet Netanyahu at White House
20:15 07.07.2025
Russia attacks recruitment centers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
20:00 07.07.2025
Pezeshkian says Israel attempted assassination against him
19:45 07.07.2025
Iran has military capability to strike Israel daily for 2 years, IRGC adviser says
19:20 07.07.2025
US envoy says ‘satisfied’ with Lebanese response on roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
19:00 07.07.2025
Peskov: Russia, Azerbaijan should remain close partners, allies
18:45 07.07.2025
The Gulf Observer: Armenians' destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage - vandalism against all humanity
18:30 07.07.2025
Official: Nearly 1M foreigners arrived in Azerbaijan in 5 months of 2025
18:15 07.07.2025
Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan Army visits Saudi Arabia
18:00 07.07.2025
Israeli PM approved Yemen airstrikes during his flight to US
17:45 07.07.2025
Expert: ECO Summit in Khankendi confirmed member countries' desire for inclusive, multipolar world
17:30 07.07.2025
AZAL introduces new online service
17:15 07.07.2025
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
17:00 07.07.2025
Saudi Arabia raises August oil prices for Asia, Europe buyers
16:45 07.07.2025
EU Reporter: Karabakh region became platform for int'l forums
16:15 07.07.2025
Georgian PM says direct foreign interference in democratic elections failed
16:00 07.07.2025
Typhoon Danas kills two in Taiwan, injures over 500
15:45 07.07.2025
'Coalition of the Willing' may fall apart over Starmer-Macron conflict
15:30 07.07.2025
Former Adjara head hospitalized with gunshot wound in Georgia
15:15 07.07.2025
Scientists reveal how caffeine slows down aging
15:00 07.07.2025
Thailand to offer US more trade concessions to avert 36% tariff
14:45 07.07.2025
Putin dismisses transport minister
14:30 07.07.2025
Israel carries out strikes on Houthi-controlled power station, ports across Yemen
14:15 07.07.2025
UK to name Iran as one of its biggest threats
14:00 07.07.2025
Armenia rejects possibility of using country's territory for military purposes
13:45 07.07.2025
Mexico defeats US for second consecutive Gold Cup title
13:30 07.07.2025
Iranian FM calls attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities flagrant violation of NPT
13:15 07.07.2025
Netanyahu lands in US ahead of White House meeting with Trump
13:00 07.07.2025
Ilham Aliyev receives delegation led by Pakistani National Assembly speaker
12:55 07.07.2025
Araghchi: BRICS to play key role in defending world order
12:45 07.07.2025
Eight Turkish soldiers martyred in northern Iraq
12:30 07.07.2025
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside White House ahead of Israeli premier's visit
12:15 07.07.2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent scoffs at Musk’s new America Party
12:00 07.07.2025
Trump dismisses Musk’s third party idea as ‘ridiculous’
11:45 07.07.2025
Israeli army launches airstrikes on western Yemen
11:30 07.07.2025
Trump says Gaza ceasefire deal could be reached this week
11:15 07.07.2025
Israeli intelligence informant detained in Iran
11:00 07.07.2025
Hamısı