Oak forests of Darkesh in North Khorasan; a piece of jewelry in the Hyrcanian Forests

Destruction of forests and natural areas causes environmental crises; thus, conservation of forests, rangelands, and genetic reserves as a national duty is important and valuable. The oak forests of Darkesh in North Khorasan province is one of the habitats that is less well-known despite its ecological and tourism potentials. This forest with an area of about 13000 ha is located a few kilometers of Golestan Forest, with a regular consistency and a combination of different types of trees, shrubs and grasses with dominant species of chestnut- leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey.). This forest is the only oak forest reserve in the eastern region of Iran. Conservation of these valuable forests, preventing a dense presence of livestock and observing appropriate season for grazing, preventing the conversion of forests into agricultural lands are the most important conservation programs for these forests, which should be considered by the authorities. Considering that this region has high tourist attractions for tourists and nature enthusiasts, attention to ecotourism reduces forest dependency of local people.