Chehel Pa Protected Area

Chehel Pa Protected Area is one of the valuable natural areas of Khuzestan Province. It lies north and northeast of Andimeshk County and is known for its mountain landscapes and deep valleys. The area covers about 17,004 hectares. In 1390 (2011) it was declared a protected area by the Department of Environment to safeguard native plant and animal habitats, especially species that live in rocky, hard-to-reach terrain. Chehel Pa lies on the slopes of the Zagros Mountains, close to the Dez Dam Lake and the Dez River, so it offers mountain scenery and wide plains that appeal to nature travellers and wildlife enthusiasts.

This protected area is considered one of the important habitats of the wild goat and ibex (kal-o-boz) in Khuzestan Province, and a healthy population of the species has been preserved here because the rocky slopes are so difficult to access. Chehel Pa has tall rock walls, deep valleys and vegetation suited to a hot, dry climate. The Tangvan Valley and the banks of the Dez River are among the parts where wildlife is reported to be concentrated, giving visitors the chance to see wild goat and ibex, wolves, foxes, jackals, see-see partridges and chukars. The Dez Dam and its lake supply important water resources for the area and influence its biodiversity.

To reach Chehel Pa Protected Area, you can set out from the city of Andimeshk and, after about 15 kilometres to the north and northeast, turn onto side roads and footpaths leading to the mountain slopes. These routes take you through natural scenery and open plains. The best time to visit is spring, when the weather is milder and the vegetation and wildlife are at their best. In summer the intense heat, and in winter the cold, can make access and the visit difficult. While in Chehel Pa, it is very important to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, such as keeping a distance from wildlife, taking your rubbish with you and respecting the local ecosystem, so that this fragile ecosystem is preserved.