State Protected Natural Sanctuaries
Armenia has more than 3,500 species of plants and 175,000 animal species. In 1958, the Soviet government began to create special state-preserved landscapes where you can enjoy hiking and relaxing. Four state-protected natural sanctuaries exist in Vayots Dzor. These sanctuaries monitor special and sometimes threatened species of flora and fauna within their boundaries. The Soviet government established these sanctuaries for scientific, educational, historical, recreational, and preservation purposes. The four protected sanctuaries in Vayots Dzor are Herher Open Woodland Sanctuary, Jermuk Forest Sanctuary, Jermuk Hydrological Sanctuary, and Yeghegnadzor Sanctuary. They range from 1731 to 6139 hectares in size.
Edible greens, wild plants gathered from Vayots Dzor’s rocky terrain, constitute a substantial part of a
typical Vayots Dzor diet. The type of edible greendiffers from village to village but often includes sorrel, alpine dock, eremurus, goosefoot, and nettle. Locals gather greens in fields, and in particular from the higher alpine zones. These upper zones are prime for plant gathering as they don’t see much foot-traffic, reducing the amount of plants trampled by humans and animals. The harvest starts in early spring and lasts until the beginning of summer. Usually, families and friends travel in groups of five to 10 people to the fields for an enjoyable day of gathering. Each individual gathers about 10 kilograms of greens, and brings along a sharp kitchen knife that they use to uproot plants that they then place in a big-pocketed apron.
Natural Attractions
Ethnography Story: Gathering Edible Greens