Semnan Province: Iran's biodiversity haven

Semnan province, nestled in north-central Iran, holds the title of the country's biodiversity capital.

Boasting an impressive range of fauna and flora, this region is a haven for various species, many of which are endangered.

The jewel of Semnan's biodiversity crown is the Asiatic cheetah, a treasured endemic species.

The Turan National Park stands as the sole breeding habitat for cheetahs in Iran and the world, elevating the biosphere's importance to unparalleled levels.

Semnan province encompasses 2.5 million hectares of these protected lands, overseen by the Department of the Environment.

Among them, the Garmsar Desert National Park and the Turan Wildlife Refuge stand out as two globally renowned reserves.

Within Semnan, three national parks (Kavir, Turan, and Sidova), two wildlife sanctuaries (Khosh Yeilagh and Turan), and two protected areas (Parvar and Turan) safeguard the diverse landscapes and valuable species.

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme has recognized the Kavir and Turan National Parks as biosphere reserves, solidifying their significance.

Semnan province serves as a natural exhibition of other rare wildlife, including the Persian leopard, Persian onager, Asiatic mouflon, sand cat, and chinkara, alongside numerous plant species.

The Asiatic cheetah is now critically endangered, with fewer than 50 believed to remain in Iran.

Meanwhile, the Persian onager, a hardy species adapted to desert environments, faces a similar threat.

MM/AG