 The territory of the reserve has been altered several times.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.