Darband-e Ravar Wildlife Refuge

Darband-e Ravar Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest protected areas in Iran. It lies in the north of Kerman Province, next to the Lut Desert. Covering more than 1.3 million hectares, the refuge has a remarkable range of elevations, from mountain heights such as Lakar Kuh to flat, hot desert plains. This varied landscape provides habitat for rare wildlife species. Its most important residents include the Asiatic cheetah, Persian leopard, caracal, Pallas's cat, goitered gazelle (jebeer), wild sheep and rams, and several species of birds of prey and other birds, such as the golden eagle and the houbara bustard, which are among the threatened species.

The vegetation of Darband-e Ravar is also highly diverse and includes drought-resistant species such as wormwood (artemisia), tamarisk, wild pistachio, wild almond, ephedra, saxaul, thyme, black cumin, yarrow and germander. These plants, mostly classed as desert and steppe vegetation, cover between 5 and 25 percent of the area and play a vital role in keeping the region's ecosystem in balance. This vegetation also provides suitable habitat and food for the animal species. Because it is far from population centres and its nature remains untouched, the area is regarded as one of the most pristine habitats in the country.

The best time to visit Darband-e Ravar Refuge is spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and conditions are better for nature tourism. However, because of the area's conservation importance, visits are only possible with an official permit from the Kerman Provincial Department of Environment. Activities such as wildlife watching, nature photography, easy hiking in the southern highlands, and enjoying the silence and natural scenery are among the possible things to do in the refuge, and they should be carried out responsibly and in line with the principles of nature tourism.