The sanctuary was established in 2007, by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia N 975-Ն of January 25, in the area of ​​50.28 ha. It is located in Ararat Region.
It is a wetland and is included in “The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitatt”, also known as the Ramsar List. The sanctuary is an important transit area for over 100 species of migratory waterfowl, 30 of which are nesting species.
It is also a nesting place for a number of species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, for example, the common otter, which is registered as an endangered species in the Red Book of Animals of the RA. As a result of various natural and anthropogenic phenomena, the existence of "Khor Virap" wetland ecosystem was threatened.