The return of the population to Zar village of Kalbajar is planned by the end of the year.
“Elchi” reports that Bashir Hajiyev, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kalbajar district, stated this during the event titled “Lachin & Kalbajar: The road from urbicide and conflict to post-conflict reconstruction” held within the framework of WUF13.
He also noted that behind all the reconstruction and development work being carried out today lies the severe destruction, vandalism, and ecological terror that Kalbajar was subjected to for many years:
“During the occupation, the district’s settlements were completely destroyed, social infrastructure was annihilated, and the living environment that people had built over the years was devastated. Acts of vandalism were committed against our historical and cultural heritage. Historical monuments, cemeteries, and cultural heritage sites were subjected to serious destruction. At the same time, Kalbajar’s rich natural resources and ecological environment were ruthlessly exploited. Forests were destroyed, natural resources were plundered, and serious damage was inflicted on water resources and biodiversity. The district’s economic potential, tourism opportunities, and the social infrastructure formed over the years were shattered. People were forcibly displaced from their native lands. For this reason, the projects being implemented in Kalbajar today represent not only a process of construction and reconstruction but also the restoration of historical justice and the return of life to the native lands. Following the 44-day Patriotic War and the liberation of our lands, large-scale and purposeful restoration and development work is being carried out based on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. These projects support the rapid revival of the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, ensure the sustainable settlement of the population, maintain continuous economic activity, and create a solid foundation for these territories to become highly developed regions. At the same time, the processes being implemented are of special importance in terms of eliminating the destruction, acts of vandalism, and damage caused to the ecological environment and cultural heritage in our territories during the occupation.”