Posted on October, 04 2018

On September 21-28 volunteers from Germany, Switzerland and Spain participated in the "BarevTrails" eco-tourism development project which took place in Arpa (formerly Gnishik) Protected Landscape. The project was initiated by WWF Armenia and Swiss Wesser Foundation, supported by the "Trails for change" NGO. The project is aimed at the development of ecotourism in protected areas of Armenia.

During a week volunteers performed the following activities:
- Improved "Bezoar Goat", "Noravank" and "Chukar" trails
- Built a bridge and a “Bezoar Goats' vista point”
- Placed 32 informational signs describing the flora and fauna, as well as historical and cultural sites of the area
- Placed 4 informational booths at the start points of the trails, which provide visitors with comprehensive information about the trails,
- Implemented a complete marking of the trails according to the international standards
- Improved roads accessibility at the most difficult parts of the trails
- Painted the wall of the Areni Community Center's lobby with wildlife scenes to raise the level of environmental awareness of community members. 

Volunteers also had an opportunity to visit a number of historical-cultural sites and natural monuments, getting acquainted with Armenian culture and wildlife.

Ultimately, the goal of the project is the improvement of infrastructures of ecotourism in the protected areas of southern Armenia (Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Arpa Protected Landscape, Planned Tatev National Park and Zangezur Biosphere Complex) and, in general, raising awareness of Armenia as an eco-friendly country.