There are only 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world, and Armenia, particularly this part of Vayots Dzor, lies at the heart of one of them.
A biodiversity hotspot represents not only exceptional natural wealth, but also a high level of vulnerability.
Ahead of the UN 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), which Armenia will host, Yeghegis Fest serves as a living example of this vision in practice. It demonstrates that when local communities and journalists are actively engaged and nature is protected, biodiversity hotspots are no longer seen as endangered areas. Instead, they become a source of recognition for communities, sustainable livelihoods, and new opportunities for ecotourism.