Dizmar Forest’s journey toward recognition, preservation
Dizmar Forest, hidden away in a distant place among the lush mountains and deep valleys of East Azarbaijan, appears as a piece of paradise. This forest is one of the natural and pristine attractions of East Azarbaijan Province, located in northwest Iran within the counties of Varzaqan, Khoda Afarin, and Jolfa.
Dizmar Forest is among the valuable natural areas in northwest Iran, situated near protected regions such as Kiamaky Wildlife Refuge and Arasbaran National Park. It is one of the most untouched scenic spots in East Azarbaijan Province, boasting breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Its challenging, rugged paths attract nature enthusiasts who seek outdoor adventures in difficult and winding terrains, IRNA wrote.
Part of a vast protected zone, this region is close to Iran’s border with the Republic of Azerbaijan, through which the Aras River flows. The forest is approximately 250 kilometers northeast of Tabriz.
About Dizmar Forest
Dizmar Forest is one of Iran’s most pristine natural attractions, located near the Arasbaran region. The Arasbaran forests are also a globally significant biosphere reserve, valued for their high biodiversity and rich natural environment, making them important worldwide.
Due to its proximity to Varzaqan, Dizmar Forest is also known as the Varzaqan Forest and is considered one of the best sightseeing spots in Varzaqan. Its breathtaking landscapes, diverse plant and animal species, moderate climate, and abundance of natural springs are some of its main features.
The surrounding areas are covered by Iran’s key natural resources, as well as those of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The geographical location of this forest greatly enhances its regional importance.
Adjacent to Dizmar Forest is the Sungun Copper Complex, one of the region’s significant industrial mines in East Azarbaijan Province. The Dizmar Protected Area spans approximately 68,600 hectares, with nearly half located in Khoda Afarin, about 30% in Jolfa County, and 20% in Varzaqan.
Another notable feature of the Dizmar Protected Area is the passage of the Aras River through the region. This river significantly impacts the ecosystem of the forest, contributing to its high biodiversity. Besides the Aras River, six perennial rivers flow through the Dizmar protected area. Some parts of the forest are difficult to access and require professional equipment to traverse, but the accessible parts offer excellent spots for camping, nature photography, hiking, and daily picnics.
History
Dizmar Forest is one of the oldest forest areas in the Arasbaran region, neighboring the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Climate change, unregulated hunting, and deforestation are among the most significant challenges facing this forested area.
Currently, government agencies and environmental organizations are working to restore the damaged parts of Dizmar Forest through public awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of laws, and a shift in conservation strategies. Their goal is to protect and preserve the remaining sections of this valuable ecosystem.
National and global registration
The proximity of Dizmar Forest to protected areas within Iran and neighboring countries, along with its vital ecosystem, classifies it as one of the important habitats. The forest has remained largely pristine for many years, but neglect and insufficient protection have led to damage to its diverse species.
Over time, experts have become increasingly concerned about the risk of extinction for certain species, raising alarms over the potential destruction of significant parts of this ecosystem. Given the extent of the forest and its capacity to create safe habitats for endangered animals, the Department of Environmental Protection decided to convert these areas from open forest zones to protected zones.
On May 15, 2014, an area covering over 70,000 hectares in Dizmar Forest was officially designated as the Dizmar Protected Area, and governmental conservation efforts began earnestly in these regions.
The 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on September 10, 2023.
Inclusion of Dizmar Forest within the Hyrcanian Forests was one of Iran’s requests during this meeting, aiming for UNESCO World Heritage registration as a natural site.
To list a natural site as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, the area must have the necessary capacity to qualify for the “Outstanding Universal Value” designation. Essentially, the climatic impact of the natural site on the global ecosystem must be demonstrated for it to be included in UNESCO’s Natural Heritage List. For this purpose, ten basic criteria are outlined in UNESCO’s statutes, and proposals from various countries are evaluated against these criteria.
Despite favorable conditions for listing Dizmar Forest on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and its inclusion within Iran’s Hyrcanian forests, Iran’s request did not succeed at the 45th session of the organization. Currently, based on UNESCO’s proposal to Iran, the request for the global registration of Dizmar Forest will be addressed in future UNESCO meetings as part of a joint nomination with the Arasbaran Forests.
Climate
The surroundings of Dizmar Forest are covered by extensive woodlands and high mountain ranges, which significantly influence its climate. The areas around Dizmar are generally located in cold regions that experience abundant snow and rainfall during the second half of the year.
Dizmar Forest itself has a cold and humid climate in autumn and winter; however, in spring and autumn, the weather is moderate. The dense vegetation in this forest helps to moderate the air during hot days, making spring and summer the best seasons for visiting.
One of the most notable climatic features of Dizmar Forest is the persistent presence of fog during most hours of the day, which lasts throughout the year. On cold autumn and winter days, the fog becomes even thicker, significantly reducing visibility over short distances. Fog gradually decreases during spring and summer, but high fog levels still occur during early hours of the day and near sunset.
Flora and fauna
The diverse ecosystem of northwestern Iran, particularly the Arasbaran region, influences the biodiversity of Dizmar Forest as well. The continuous flow of rivers in this area, such as the Aras River, enhances the greenery of the forest and its surrounding regions. Unfortunately, in recent decades, some plant and animal species in Dizmar Forest have faced the threat of extinction, and strict conservation laws are now in place to protect this forested area.
The plant diversity in Dizmar Forest reaches 849 species, of which 76 are native to the region. This high level of diversity is due to the extensive spread of Dizmar Forest across mountainous terrain, aquatic habitats, and drylands. The foothills, hills, areas around the Aras River and other flowing rivers, as well as the low-altitude forested regions of Dizmar, provide diverse conditions for native species to thrive. Examples of trees and plants in Dizmar Forest include oak, maple, wild almond, and wild rose.
The animal diversity in Dizmar Forest includes approximately 320 unique wildlife species. While some of these species have experienced decline in recent decades, habitats within Dizmar are currently improving.
In past decades, populations of certain animals, such as roe deer, were very small; however, in 2015, a significant number of these animals migrated from northwestern Iran into the Dizmar Protected Area. Today, they inhabit an area of over 60,000 hectares.
Other animal species found in Dizmar Forest include brown bear, yellow deer, Persian leopard, wolf, jackal, wild goat, wild boar, wildcat, fox, and various predatory and non-predatory birds.