Gara-Gel State Reserve or Qaragol State Reserve was established on the area of 240 hectares in 1987 for protection and preservation of rare ecological system of the lake of glacial origin and natural complexes surrounding the water basin. The lake feeds mainly from rains and spring water. The flora of the reserve comprises plants of 278 races, 68 breeds and over 100 species. The trout was brought to the lake in 1967. [1]
Gara-Gel State Reserve is under the control of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic forces and does not operate at present.