Arak and Karank Protected Area

Arak and Karank Protected Area is one of the most valuable habitats in South Khorasan Province. It is officially approved on the country's list of protected areas and is managed by the Department of Environment. Covering about 23,571 hectares and located 80 kilometers southwest of Birjand, it is one of the important natural areas of eastern Iran, where mountain landscapes, rolling hills and broad plains create a distinctive environmental diversity. Its size and geographical position mean that a variety of natural features can be seen here, including mountains, springs, rocky terrain and expanses of vegetation.

The vegetation of Arak and Karank Protected Area consists of species adapted to dry conditions and resistant to arid and semi-arid climates. Among them, wild almond (badamshak), wild pistachio (baneh), tamarisk (gaz) and saxaul (tagh) are the dominant plants, while medicinal species such as hyssop, mountain germander (kalpureh), flixweed (khakshir) and wormwood (dermaneh) also grow in parts of the area. This plant diversity supports native wildlife, and a number of mammals and birds can be seen in the area, including wild goat and ibex, wolf, fox, jackal, hare, chukar partridge and see-see partridge, all of which add to the ecological value of this habitat.

To reach Arak and Karank Protected Area, you can travel west from the city of Birjand and then enter the area via secondary and dirt roads. There are access routes in several sections, and using GPS or a local guide is recommended to find suitable entrances. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and conditions are better for observing the natural diversity and wildlife. Visiting responsibly means following conservation rules, not lighting fires and refraining from disturbing wildlife in the natural areas, so that the ecological values of this ecosystem are preserved.