Introducing Zagros range


Zagros Mountains starts from the north to Urmia Lake Azerbaijan Mountains, from the south to
the strait of Hormoz, from the east-south to Makran Mountains, from the west to Chooman and
Kalas rivers which separate Zagros Mountains from Iraq North-west Mountains. In west-south
to Khuzestan plain and to Iran plateau's center, it is bounded to Lut and Kavir plains. Zagros
Mountains with an area of 32 million hectares, includes 11 main provinces and 2 exclave
provinces. Zagros Mountains based on height and the location is divided into 3 parts:

1. Northern Zagros: the range of this part of Zagros, north to south, is from Govar river valley to

Naghade river valley.

2. Central Zagros: north-west to south-east, this part of Zagros range starts from Khoramabad
river valley and continues to the East Mountains of Marvast desert, north of Bakhtegan Lake and
Dalaki River. Central Zagros Mountain (CZM) is mainly mountainous area located at 830 to
4416 Meters above the Sea Level. The average altitude of this region is 2332 meter. 34% of the
region has 2100-2400 meters height, less than one percent of Zagros has less than 1000 meter
height.

3. South Zagros: from Dalaki or Shahpoor River, west to east, it continues to Kalode Sheikh and
Kahdan in Hormozgan.

Values of the CZM

The CZM is a part of Iran-Anatolian range,and one of the biodiversity hotspots with following
characteristics:
Zagros is considered as the source of 2 main catchment (Persian Gulf-Oman Sea and
Iran plateau's center), some important rivers such as: Karun, Zayandeh-rud, Karkheh,
Zarineh-rud, Simineh-rud, Dalaki, etc and some important international wetlands such as:
Bakhtegan, Parishan, Maharloo, Gandoman, Choghakhor, Gavkhoni, etc. It has the main
role in managing the required water resources of the communities, livelihood and
controlling consequences of drought and dust storms.
 More than 50% of the Iran nomads’ population Livelihood, is related to the CZM and
totally around 20% of the country population (nomads, local communities and cities
habitants) is related to resource productions of this fragile and sensitive ecosystem.
The mountainous habitat is a vital ecosystem and healthy environment which supports
biodiversity (Flora and Fauna) as well as being the center of cultural diversity.
Zagros is cradle of Iran ancient civilizations and has high potential for eco-historic


tourism.