Jahan Nama Protected Area

Jahan Nama Protected Area is one of the attractions of Gorgan. It lies southeast of Kordkuy and is also known as Golestan National Park. Since 1973 (1352 SH) the area has been under the supervision of the Department of Environment. It is home to some of the most pristine and healthiest mid-elevation forests, also called foothill forests. Because of the altitude of Jahan Nama village above sea level, the village of Jahan Nama in Golestan is also called the "Roof of Golestan".

As one of the attractions of Gorgan, Jahan Nama Protected Area covers 31,747 hectares and lies at an elevation of 600 to 3,086 metres above sea level. One of its unique appeals is access to the most untouched and healthiest part of the mid-elevation, or foothill, forests. Summer pasture villages such as Kafshgiri Mahalleh and Saadabad Mahalleh are also located within the area and welcome visitors. Interestingly, this is the only part of the forest where tigers live in peace. Since 1973 (1352 SH) the area has been under the supervision of the Department of Environment, and after Golestan National Park it is the largest protected area in Golestan.

The forests of Jahan Nama are in fact Hyrcanian forests, set in the heart of some of the oldest forests in the world. The forest takes its name from the village of Jahan Nama in Golestan. The village of Ziarat and its famous waterfall are also in this area, and you can visit them after seeing Jahan Nama village. Thanks to its cold, humid climate, Jahan Nama village has a variety of plant and animal species, species that like this type of climate and thrive in it. Animal species that have been seen in this area include the brown bear, leopard and tiger. These animals do not come near the places where villagers live, so there is no need to worry. Other animal species in the area include wild boar, jackal, wolf, wild goat, hare, fox and hedgehog. The area around the Jahan Nama summer pastures also has beautiful birds, including the black francolin, the Eurasian woodcock, the forest nuthatch, eagles and falcons, the long-legged buzzard, the kite, the kestrel, the imperial eagle, various owls and the black kite. Partridges, pheasants, quail, see-see partridges, thrushes, cuckoos, woodpeckers, hoopoes, larks and swifts are other birds found around Jahan Nama village in Golestan.

One of the most important and spectacular sights in Jahan Nama village is the "ocean of clouds": from sunrise until about 10 a.m., and again at sunset, you can watch a sea of clouds from above the Jahan Nama forest. In Jahan Nama village in Golestan you can go mountaineering, canyoning and walking across the plains. The Jahan Nama area is reached via the town of Kordkuy; a road leads southeast of Kordkuy, and then minor summer-pasture roads guide visitors to the area. The best time to visit is from spring to early autumn, when the weather is more pleasant and the vegetation is at its best. When visiting the area, it is recommended to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, including not lighting fires in the forest, collecting your rubbish and respecting the area's wildlife.