Yadegarlou Wetland

Yadegarlou Wetland is one of the internationally recognized wetlands of Naqadeh County in West Azerbaijan Province. It lies about 22 kilometres south of the city of Naqadeh, within the ecological zone of Lake Urmia National Park. At an average elevation of 1,280 metres above sea level, it is part of a group of valuable wetlands in the region, including Sirangoli and Shurgol, and is among the most important natural habitats for waterbirds and shorebirds in Iran. The wetland has a catchment area of 1,530 hectares, of which the lake itself covers about 359 hectares and the surrounding pastures nearly 260 hectares. The wetland is fed by seasonal runoff, the seasonal flow of the Gadar River, and groundwater seepage.

In the past, Yadegarlou Wetland was one of the most important wintering and breeding habitats for migratory and resident birds, and species such as swans, flamingos, white-headed ducks and various other ducks were seen here every year. Naqadeh County as a whole hosts more than 10,000 migratory and resident birds in its wetlands, which doubles the environmental importance of the area. Since the 1990s, however, because of successive droughts, reduced inflow, the construction of a drainage channel next to the wetland and changes in its water sources, most of Yadegarlou Wetland has dried up, and it has been placed on the Montreux Record, the list of wetlands facing degradation or in need of urgent restoration. Today, besides their natural value, the lands around the wetland are also used for farming and livestock grazing.

Yadegarlou Wetland can be reached from the city of Naqadeh by local roads south of Lake Urmia, and a visit is usually combined with other wetlands in the area. The best time to visit is late winter and spring, especially in years with good rainfall when part of the wetland has filled with water, as this is when you are most likely to see migratory birds and enjoy natural scenery. Given the critical condition of the wetland, visitors should avoid entering sensitive areas, leaving litter, damaging vegetation and disturbing the birds, so that they contribute to protecting this valuable habitat and to its restoration.