TEHRAN – Thanks to the restoration of the Nowurzur wetland in northwestern Western Azarbaijan province, a flock of flamingos has been spotted in the wetland for the first time.
Covering approximately 1.2 thousand hectares, this wetland is home to many unique animals and birds, as well as plants such as nettles, cypresses and reeds. It is home to a variety of native and migratory bird species each year.
Rainfall in recent months has allowed the wetland to fully recover for the first time in the past 20 years. A large number of migratory birds are expected to fly here to nest and lay eggs in the coming days, IRNA quoted State Environment Director Moosa Jassoor as saying.
Birds fly here to rest and feed as wetlands have tight security, sufficient food and abundant water, he added.
In 1391 of Iran (2012-2013), this wetland became part of the national protected area.
Iran’s geography is unique and full of diverse landscapes. In Iran, 141 wetlands of ecological value have been identified, covering an area of more than 3 million hectares, 27 of which are registered under the international Ramsar Convention.
The Ministry of the Environment has announced the launch of a new phase (2025-2028) of wetland conservation projects to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and reduce pressure on wetland ecosystems.
IRIB news agency quoted Feresht-e Jadri, an official at the Ministry of Energy, as saying on November 25, that the project provided the basis for promoting wetland protection and improving sustainable resource use, backed by successful experiences in Lake Urmia, Gilan, Fars and Parishan watersheds, and watersheds in East and West Azerbaijan oblasts.
She added that the pilot implementation of the project in Shedegan and Bebahan in the previous phase has yielded important results and with these results the project will enter a new phase with the support of international and national organizations.
The official went on to highlight the role of technical and vocational education and training in enabling local people to protect wetlands and improve their incomes.
The latest strategies taken for wetland conservation include: In June 2025, the DOE and the Department of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch a national plan to empower local communities to protect and promote the sustainable use of wetlands.
In February 2025, the Department of Energy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) expanded their partnership by signing a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conserve wetlands projects in Iran.
ISNA reported that the MOU was signed by DOE Secretary Shina Ansari and UNDP Interim Representative to Iran Aishani Medagangoda-Rabbeh at a meeting in Bushehr province.