Bird watching, a rare attraction for reconciliation with the environment

Seeing the display of migratory birds in the lagoons, reservoirs and dams of Razavi Khorasan, which happens every year in a certain period, can be a great opportunity to enjoy these attractions, get closer to nature and reconcile with animals, whose culture should be promoted. Razavi Khorasan has a unique opportunity to attract tourists in the field of bird watching, which is one of the branches of ecotourism or nature tourism, as one of the provinces that host migratory birds, along with other historical and spiritual attractions.

Ecotourism, as a new nature-based tourism approach, has gained significant importance in the tourism development programs of many countries in recent decades.

Due to its habitat diversity, especially wetlands, Iran has two-thirds of the bird species of the Middle East, but its contribution to the world’s “bird watching” is very limited compared to other countries.

In the importance of bird watching development, it is enough that this activity can be considered as a way of protecting the habitats of birds in the ecosystems of wetlands, reservoirs and lakes under environmental protection.

In Iran, about one third of the world’s birds, equal to 535 species, have been observed so far, and this is the fact that the statistics report the risk of extinction of more than 12.4% of the world’s birds, i.e. a little more than 192 species.

Most of the birds in Iran’s sky are migratory species, including swans, geese, ducks, waterfowl, and cockatoos, which are mostly seen in the northern provinces of the country.

The diversity of biological species and birds in Khorasan-Razavi province is also great as one of the touristic provinces, and the annual hosting of 15,000 migratory birds is a part of the valuable capacities of the province in this field.

The best cities in Razavi Khorasan in terms of habitat for migratory birds in winter are Mashhad, Ferkhs, Khaf, Torbetjam and Taibad, where Ferkhs and Kashf Rood reservoirs in Mashhad have a special place in this field.

We should not ignore the fact that since the previous decades, like many other regions of the planet, due to changes in the water level of rivers and wetlands and changes in some regions, as well as climate changes, we have witnessed the destruction and reduction of the desirability of living conditions, which has a direct impact on the amount Migratory birds have arrived.

Razavi Khorasan region, 20% of its area of ​​118 thousand square kilometers is covered by environmental protection and the area of ​​habitats of this province is 2 million and 500 thousand hectares, it is one of the provinces that hosts migratory birds with high biodiversity, the existence of different species of wildlife, It has created a unique capacity to attract nature lovers and tourists looking for the beauty of nature.

Razavi Khorasan has one ranger for every 25,000 hectares. This province has 41 four zones and hunting is prohibited, including 28 national natural monuments, national parks, wildlife refuges, protected areas and 13 hunting is prohibited. About 80 species of mammals, 285 species of birds, 2 species of amphibians, 68 species of reptiles and 24 species of fish live in Razavi Khorasan.

The key wildlife species of Razavi Khorasan include wild goats, rams, wild sheep, deer, leopards, cheetahs, wolves, hyenas, and all kinds of birds, such as game birds, hummingbirds, and partridges.

The nature of Khorasan Razavi is a good choice for migratory birds

Director General of Environmental Protection, Khorasan Razavi, stating that this province is one of the hosts of migratory birds in the winter season, which has a lot of potential due to the beauty of the presence of birds, said: the annual census of aquatic and near-aquatic birds in the province coincides with the beginning of the migration season of these valuable species. In 31 regions, reservoirs and wetlands of the province begin.

Mehdi Elahpour added: This census will be conducted in all reservoirs, dams, rivers and dams of the province by direct observation.

He emphasized: The World Migratory Water Bird Census Program has been organized since 1967 by the International Wetlands and Waterbird Research Bureau (IWRB), which is currently called the International Wetlands Bureau, and is currently being implemented in most countries of the world. .

He continued: The long-term census data of water birds is used as the basis for estimating the number and trend of bird population changes, and it has significant value from the point of view of science and protecting the biodiversity of water birds.

Elahpour said: Birds are an important link in nature’s food chain, which play an essential role in food balance, and on the other hand, the aesthetics of these birds is important in the country’s economy. Also, the importance of migratory birds in terms of the country’s genetic reserves is one of the benefits of the arrival of these species.

He said: This census is done every year by experts at the same time as other countries in the world in January because this is the month when migratory birds settle in reservoirs and areas with more water.

Director General of Environmental Protection of Khorasan Razavi said: In the latest census of aquatic and coastal birds, more than 16,000 birds of 46 species were counted in the province.

Elahpour added: 20 enumerators are conducting this census at 31 points in 13 cities of Razavi Khorasan.

Drought, the plague of migratory birds

In an interview with IRNA, Deputy Director of Natural Environment and Biodiversity of Khorasan Environmental Protection Department Razavi said: The recent droughts in the province have created problems for migratory birds and this has caused us to see fewer species every year, but we hope This year, let’s see more diversity in terms of their presence.

Mohammad Erfani added: According to the experience of the past years, this province has the ability to host up to 50 species of migratory birds.

He emphasized: the presence of shelter and food is very important for the survival and choice of destination for migratory birds.

Pointing out that the importance of migratory birds is of great concern in the world, he said: The importance of this issue is such that more than 15,000 enumerators carry out the census of migratory birds every year.

He stated: 13 cities out of the total 33 cities of the province have the required range and area for the presence of water birds and waterside birds, which are observed and counted using telescopes and binoculars.

Erfani said: Dams, rivers, water treatment plants and even reservoirs inside power plants witness the presence of migratory birds, and in some cases, due to security issues, the possibility of presence for counting must be obtained by obtaining a permit.

He added: At the same time, those interested can visit the reservoirs and rivers of the province and observe these beautiful birds from a distance with facilities such as cameras.

Khorasan Razavi, Deputy Environment Minister, continued: Birds spend the winter and, in the case of some species, even raise chicks during their stay in these areas, and this increases the need to protect them.

Erfani said: Late January and February is the best time to observe migratory birds and one should make the most of this limited opportunity.

He said: among the bird species that can be seen in the province, we can mention the tern, all kinds of ducks, pelicans, herons, all kinds of geese and sea swallows, but the largest population is usually made up of ducks.

The watchful eye of the bird protection unit

Irfani stated: the challenge of the presence of smugglers and brokers of some types of birds also increases in the province in such conditions, although in these years the protection unit of the environmental organization of the province in Mashhad and other cities has been able to manage this issue well and there have been several cases of the return of these birds. Birds have their natural cycle.

He said: “Before any action, we need public education in this area so that efforts can be made to preserve these species as future genetic reserves and nature’s ecology, and to prevent any action that harms the environmental ecology.”

Khorasan Razavi, Deputy Environment Minister, said: Also, due to the fact that migratory birds are carriers of bird flu, during the census of these birds, diseases are also monitored.

He added: Based on this, in coordination with the General Veterinary Department of the province, joint patrols will be held so that if the disease is observed, the necessary control can be carried out and the spread of the disease to poultry farms can be prevented.