It was established in 1929 in the middle part of the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the territory of Zagatala and Balakan districts on an area of 25200 hectares.

The main purpose of the reserve is to protect the natural complexes of rare plants on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains.

Zagatala SNR was established in the areas of Zagatala and Balakan districts of Azerbaijan in 1929 on an area of 23844 hectares on the southern slope of the middle part of Greater Caucasus mountain range with the aim of preserving and studying plants and animals spread in the southern parts of Greater Caucasus.

According to the decision of Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan dated 17 October 2008, its area was expanded by adding the lands of Zagatala and Balakan forest protection and rehabilitation facilities and reached 47349 hectares.

[1] Flora – The reserve grows oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, linden, ash, chestnut, walnut, bear hazel, and birch trees.

The banks of the Katekh River, which flows through the territory of Zagatala, are surrounded by hard rocks and cliffs on both sides of the reserve.

At the confluence of the church and the Katekhchay, a very majestic, beautiful and strong enough waterfall was formed, the water of which flowed from a height of 20 meters into a narrow rocky ravine.