Sarigol protected area; Valuable habitat of plant and animal species in North Khorasan Province

Sarigol Protected Area, with an area of 20,000 hectares, is located in the east of Esfarayen city in North Khorasan Province. This area would officially be protected by the Department of Environment on September 11, 1974, as the "Shah Jahan" protected area. Sarigol, with its diverse habitats in high and cold parts, temperate hills, and plain areas with warmer climates, has a significant diversity of plant and animal species. In this area, 472 plant species belonging to 292 genera and 70 families, as well as more than one hundred species of animals, have been identified. A large part of the Sarigol Protected Area is highland forest habitat, with mountainous climate and summer rangelands beneath it. The vegetation of the region consists of broadleaf annuals, grasses, perennials, shrubs, and cushion form plants. Artemisia is the dominant plant in the region, and Ferula gummosa is one of the most valuable species. Sarigol is one of the important habitats of North Khorasan wildlife and birds due to its mountainous conditions, abundance of water resources, and plant diversity. The unauthorized extraction of Albelaq lead and zinc mines, illegal and unregulated agriculture, and overgrazing of livestock are among the most important threats to the flora and fauna of the area and the reduction of its biodiversity.