Off the Beaten Track – Armenia's National Parks
From the vast, stone plateaus and snow-covered mountains to the great blue expanse of Lake Sevan, witness the secrets of Armenia's diverse ecosystems.
The almost uninhabited Arevik National Park stretches across never-ending stone plateaus, through deep valleys and over the highest pass in the country in southern Armenia. It is located in a high mountain landscape on the border to Iran that is difficult to access and is characterised by kilometre-wide crests of snow-covered mountains and deep valleys with clear rivers. Semi-deserts, steppes and alpine meadows characterise the diverse landscape of the huge area. Armenia is also home to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-mountain lakes in the world, which Armenians also call the Armenian Sea. It is not only the largest lake in Armenia, but in the entire Caucasus. 28 rivers flow into it. That is why the landscape is recognised as a wetland of international importance. 260 different bird species can be observed here. Swans, cormorants, wading birds and herons take up winter quarters at the lake, while others use the area as a stopover on their autumn and spring migrations.
Episodes
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Arevik National Park
Arevik National Park is located in the south of Armenia. More than 340 square kilometers of virtually untouched nature. Ranger Mkrtich Boyajyan knows this area by heart. He is responsible for protecting the endangered Bezoar goats. In Meghri, Shahane Khachikyan lives with her four-year-old son. She wants to boost tourism in her home town. Environmentalist Gagik Sargsyan grew up in Lichk. But his village is under threat; a copper and lead mine is set to open here soon. Karen Aghabahyan is a butterfly researcher. There are said to be around 150 species of butterfly in Arevik National Park.
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Sevan National Park
The turquoise-blue Lake Sevan in Armenia lies at an altitude of 1900 meters, nestled in a unique high mountain landscape. The lake is a unique symbol of Armenia's nature, culture and history. It is a biotope for endemic animal species such as the rare spotted Sevan trout or the Armenian gull. The Sevan is the largest freshwater reservoir in the entire Caucasus region. This is why it and its shore zone have been a national park since 1978. Biologist Sasun Galstyan from the national park administration sums up what many people here think: "We have to do everything we can to make sure this lake remains well protected."
Facts
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Original TitleArmeniens Nationalparks
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Year2023
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Length2 × 52' (ENG, GER), 2 × 45' (GER)
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ResolutionHD, 4K
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Film byBabette Hnup, Frank Zintner
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Produced by
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Partners