Semnan Province, located in the central-northern part of Iran, possesses an outstanding diversity of plant and animal species. This is due to a wide range of natural habitats, which extend from forests and mountains to wetlands and vast desert landscapes.
Although the province is often associated with the desert and wildlife, its climatic and natural diversity makes it a valuable reservoir of botanical and faunistic biodiversity. Semnan is home to 254 bird species, 69 reptile species, 67 mammal species, 10 fish species, and four amphibian species.
One of the most notable ecological features of Semnan is the presence of all eight species of cats found in Iran: the Asiatic cheetah, Persian leopard, Eurasian lynx, caracal, jungle cat, Pallass's cat, sand cat, and wild cat. Furthermore, the province is home to many other wild animals, including maral (Persian red deer), spotted deer, gazelles, Persian gazelle, wild sheep, wild goats, and the Persian ground jay, as well as drofa.
The preservation of this rich natural heritage depends on protecting wildlife habitats, conserving ecosystems, and ensuring the survival of species in their natural environment. To protect this natural asset, a large area of the province spanning 2.8 million hectares is managed by the Provincial Department of Environment (DOE). The protection network also includes national parks, wildlife reserves, protected areas, no-hunting zones, as well as private or joint protected areas.
Iran is among the 20 countries in the world with the highest level of biodiversity and is home to numerous plant and animal species. Nevertheless, certain actions in recent years have led to habitat destruction and placed many species on the brink of extinction.
To date, over two million plant and animal species have been identified globally, of which 43,000 are found in Iran. There are 11 types of ecosystems worldwide, including aquatic, terrestrial, natural, and artificial, and Iran hosts nine of them. Moreover, out of 42 types of wetlands globally, 41 types have been identified in Iran.
According to the DOE, approximately 2000 animal species have been identified in the country's ecosystems, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish, as well as about 1200 fish species. Among these species are 210 mammal species, 640 bird species, 300 reptile species, 23 amphibian species, and 350 freshwater fish species. However, Iran's biodiversity, like that of the entire world, faces several challenges such as habitat destruction, overhunting, drought, and climate change.
To strengthen the protection of wildlife species and their habitats across the country based on a targeted and strategic approach, the DOE implements a comprehensive set of initiatives in conservation, science, law, and operational activities, whose priorities are determined by data and scientific research. According to Peyman Valizadeh, an official of the DOE, the department focuses on a more scientific approach to developing and implementing conservation measures adapted to the specific needs of each species and habitat.
Currently, plans for the conservation of 25 endangered species have been prepared, and another thirteen plans are under development. These plans create a clear framework for species conservation by defining the species status, main threats, conservation priorities, necessary actions, and evaluation indicators, he noted.
Nevertheless, the DOE faces some difficulties in implementing these measures at the national and provincial levels. One of the most serious problems is securing funding to execute the plans. Another problem is the development of specialized capacity for species conservation. A lack of trained, specialized personnel hinders the effective implementation of conservation plans. Therefore, training specialized personnel, developing expert potential in provinces, and strengthening the headquarters' scientific and technical capabilities are on the agenda, emphasized the official.
Regarding measures taken to combat illegal wildlife trade, Valizadeh stated that to promote greater coordination between responsible DOE agencies, he established a National Committee for Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade; the committee has already held three expert meetings. Additionally, the development of a comprehensive plan to combat illegal wildlife trade is nearing completion, and a comprehensive program to prevent this trade is being prepared.
Efforts are being made to manage human-wildlife conflicts by shifting from a reactive stance to identifying critical hotspots, understanding the causes of conflicts, and implementing preventive measures. The DOE has identified certain conflict hotspots for species such as leopards, black bears, and herbivores; data collection on black bears is underway in the Hormozgan and Kermanshah provinces.
Furthermore, Valizadeh added that the DOE has signed an agreement with the National Environmental Fund and the Agricultural Insurance Fund to support local communities and compensate for their losses. He also noted that precise information on species distribution, habitats, migration routes, and ecological corridors makes conservation efforts more effective.
In this regard, the DOE, in collaboration with Shiraz University, conducted research to prepare comprehensive distribution maps to determine migratory and dispersal corridors for herbivores and predators. These maps will serve as a management tool for habitat conservation, preventing and managing human-wildlife conflicts, determining conservation priorities, and properly utilizing intelligent monitoring systems and conservation programs, thereby providing a more accurate basis for conservation decision-making, concluded Valizadeh.
The official continued that the DOE will provide funding, train qualified personnel, and promote intersectoral cooperation to create an integrated system that utilizes scientific information, field data, local community capacities, and executive body potential to develop and implement conservation plans for each species and habitat.
