Document Type : Over looking Iranian Nature
Authors
Associate Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ahvaz, Iran.
10.22092/irn.2025.370280.1663
Abstract
The dunes of Dasht-e Azadegan, located in Khuzestan Province, represent a distinctive arid and semi-arid ecosystem in southwestern Iran. While often viewed through the lens of environmental risk, these dunes also possess unique potential for ecotourism. Covering approximately 34,000 hectares, the region features diverse plant species, complex geomorphological features, and a dynamic natural landscape shaped by prevailing winds, geological and tectonic structures, and the Karkheh River. Field surveys have identified 94 plant species from 27 families, with many playing a vital role in stabilizing shifting sands. The area's rich wildlife includes species such as the Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata), and the Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx loricatus), further emphasizing its ecological value. The region’s accessibility, along with its biological and cultural diversity and historical significance as a wartime landscape, makes it a promising candidate for nature-based tourism development. Nevertheless, the region faces growing threats, including overgrazing, habitat degradation, poaching, and a lack of tourism infrastructure. These pressures jeopardize both biodiversity and the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. This study offers a scientific overview of Dasht-e Azadegan’s natural assets, emphasizing the need for integrated planning that balances tourism development with environmental conservation. By recognizing and protecting these hidden ecological and cultural treasures, the region could become a model for sustainable desert ecotourism in Iran.
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