Copy in clipboard...
Discover ecological riches of Lavandevil Wildlife Refuge
In the distance, fields of pomegranate and rice can be seen, adding to the region’s picturesque beauty. The Lavandevil Wildlife Refuge stretches from the city of Lavandevil in the south to Astara in the north, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east and the Astara-Landvil road to the west. Nearby villages include Gholam Mahaleh, Imamzadeh, Dadashabad, and Sibly, contributing to the area’s vibrant cultural tapestry. The average elevation of the Lavandevil Wildlife Refuge is approximately twenty meters below sea level, and it experiences high rainfall, enhancing its lush environment.
Though Lavandevil is located in Gilan Province, it is significantly influenced by Taleshi culture; additionally, its proximity to Ardebil brings further cultural diversity. The residents of this northern region of Iran communicate in Farsi, Azari Turkish, and Taleshi languages, reflecting the area’s rich cultural heritage.
The Lavandevil Wildlife Refuge serves as a sanctuary for various species, including wild boar, foxes, Persian fallow deer, golden eagles, Eurasian golden orioles, pelicans, martens, whooper swans, a variety of ducks, herons, slender-billed curlews, and cranes, totaling around 125 species. The trees within Lavandevil provide habitat for the ring-necked pheasant, regarded as one of the most beautiful birds in Iran.
This wildlife refuge also attracts numerous migratory bird species that come here to escape the harsh winter weather; it lies along the migratory route connecting Siberia to warmer regions of the globe. Approximately one hundred plant species, fifty medicinal plant varieties, and sixty-five ornamental plants have been recorded in the area, some of which are endemic. Noteworthy among them are straw, cattail, local pomegranate, alder, common medlar, Pterocarya fraxinifolia, Gleditsia, raspberry, and various lagoon plants.
In addition to Lavandevil Wildlife Refuge, several other attractions are sure to captivate tourists, including the mausoleums of Baba Hassan, Mohammad Doust, and Baba Ali, the 17-hectare Sadaf coastal promenade, the ancient village of Sibli, Laton jungle, and Laton Waterfall, which boasts a height of about one hundred meters. Visitors can also explore Mieh Kumeh waterfall, Kuteh Kumeh hot water spring, the coastal park of Lavandevil city, and the Sibli rice fields. However, it is worth noting that the region is a significant source of sand and shell extraction, leading to some environmental degradation.