Arjan and Parishan Protected Area

The Arjan and Parishan Protected Area is one of the most important natural areas in Fars Province. It lies in the southwest of the Zagros mountain range, about 60 kilometres west of Shiraz. Designated an international park in 1351 (1972) and later recognised as a protected area and an established biosphere reserve, it covers more than 91,860 hectares and combines freshwater wetlands, open plains, forests and mountain highlands in a way found nowhere else. Its location on the main route linking Fars with Khuzestan and Bushehr makes Arjan and Parishan highly significant, both for nature tourism and for its ecology.

With a striking range in elevation, from about 800 to about 2,900 metres above sea level, this biosphere reserve is one of the richest ecosystems in Iran in terms of plant and animal diversity. In the higher areas you can see Zagros oak forests and mountain vegetation, while in the lower areas, especially around the Parishan and Arjan wetlands, there are rangelands, shrublands and wetland vegetation with native plants and halophytes (species adapted to salinity). The area is also home to wildlife such as wolves, foxes, brown bears, wildcats, jackals and other mammals, as well as more than 263 species of birds, many of which pass through on migration routes or spend the winter here thanks to the wetlands and aquatic habitats.

To reach the Arjan and Parishan area, you can set out from Shiraz or Kazerun and head along village roads and footpaths around the Arjan plain and Parishan Wetland, routes that open up views of the Zagros landscape and the blue waters of the wetlands. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the pleasant weather, green pastures and the migration of wetland birds make for an exceptional nature-tourism experience; in winter and at the height of summer, extreme cold or heat can limit access and spoil the enjoyment of a visit. Following the principles of responsible nature tourism, including not approaching wildlife, avoiding lighting fires and carrying out all litter, is among the most important rules for protecting this fragile ecosystem.