Mand Protected Area

Covering 46,500 hectares, Mand Protected Area is one of the nature tourism destinations and attractions of Bushehr. With both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, Mand is a plain and desert region and one of the most important gazelle habitats in Bushehr Province. The climate here is semi-desert. Annual rainfall is low, and the area is largely arid and humid. You can see the Mand River on the northern edge of the area. The Mand catchment is one of the largest sub-basins draining into the Persian Gulf and lies on the southwestern slopes of the Zagros Mountains. The rivers of the Mand area are mostly seasonal watercourses and run dry on the hot, dry days of the year.

Besides gazelles, rabbits, foxes, wild boars, hyenas, wolves and porcupines live in abundance in Mand Protected Area. Some of the resident birds include cormorants, western reef herons, flamingos, larks, kingfishers, bee-eaters, partridges and terns. Small stands of mangrove forest also exist in these areas. Mand is very diverse and beautiful in terms of wildlife and vegetation. Some of its plants include Anemone psoudambolis, Dambarenkima, Halocharis, Salicornia, mangrove trees, tamarisk and Prosopis cineraria (ghaf). Scattered palm groves can also be seen in the area.

The area is beautiful in every season. In autumn and winter the weather is mild and cool, and it is also the best time to watch migratory birds such as flamingos and pelicans. In spring, green nature and blossoms create a wonderful landscape; some days may be hot, but it is still a good time to visit. Visiting in summer is not recommended, because the weather is hot and animal activity is limited.