International conservation authorities officially added Gahar Lake in Lorestan province to the Ramsar Convention on October 5. This designation establishes Gahar Lake Ramsar registration as Iran’s twenty-eighth wetland of international importance. Consequently, environmental advocates celebrate this legal step as a major triumph for global freshwater preservation efforts.
Situated at an elevation of 2,360 meters within the Oshtorankuh Protected Area, the site comprises two interconnected lakes. Furthermore, Upper Gahar and Lower Gahar rest merely 100 meters apart amidst rugged, mountainous terrain. Remarkably, the surface water completely freezes during winter while maintaining a pristine alpine aquatic system.
According to regional biodiversity reports, the surrounding sanctuary harbors over 600 plant species and 68 endemic varieties. Additionally, the region supports 195 bird species, 45 mammals, 30 reptiles, and numerous endemic fish species. Crucially, the protected ecosystem provides a vital habitat for threatened Persian leopards and eastern imperial eagles.
Despite growing regional tourism pressure, the remote location shields the freshwater sanctuary from heavy human activity. Specifically, local administrators successfully blocked access road construction to protect delicate upstream mountain trails. Therefore, an active environmental ranger station regularly monitors water purity while controlling potential nutrient enrichment.
On a broader scale, global ecological networks report that Earth loses wetlands three times faster than forests. Since 1970, commercial agricultural expansion, urban construction, and climate change destroyed 35 percent of global wetlands. In response, Department of Environment official Ahmad-Reza Lahijanzadeh emphasized state ownership actions to stop unauthorized land acquisition.
Looking forward, Iranian environmental authorities plan to secure title deeds for all remaining ecologically vital wetlands nationwide. Currently, government agencies oversee 141 ecologically significant wetlands covering over three million hectares across the country. Ultimately, formal international registration strengthens enforcement efforts and ensures sustainable water resource management for future generations.