Paband National Park

Paband National Park is one of the tourist attractions of Behshahr in Mazandaran Province. The park covers 26,597 hectares. Its northern boundary runs from Chenarban village to Namakeh village; to the east it extends from Namakeh village to the heights of Mount Badeleh; to the south, from the heights of Mount Badeleh to Neka and the Zarem Rud; and to the west, from Neka and the Zarem Rud to the Zarem Rud River. The park takes its name from the large village of Paband (Pavand) at its center.

The park lies south of Neka and Behshahr counties and northwest of Damghan county. It consists of pristine natural forest, a habitat for unique species of herbaceous plants, shrubs and small trees, and home to emblematic animal species such as the Caspian red deer (maral), the roe deer (shuka) and the leopard. It was designated a national park in 1383 (2004) to protect the forests of northern Iran and preserve its plant and animal species. The Hezar Jarib Protected Area lies next to the park. The main animal species of the region include leopard, brown bear, wolf, deer, roe deer, golden eagle, falcon, Caucasian viper, striped hyena, wild boar, jackal, red fox, porcupine, forest marten, woodpecker, forest eagle, pheasant, chukar partridge and several kinds of wheatear.

Among the park's features are its rare Hyrcanian forests and the valuable roe deer and maral populations that live in them. The forest has a temperate, semi-humid climate. The area is mountainous, with high peaks and well-watered valleys, and the Zalem Rud River divides it into a northern and a southern section.