Designated on 18 May 2007 in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Country: Islamic Republic of Iran
Coordinates: 37025’N; 49029’E
Area: 3,260 ha

Overview. A shallow sea bay with associated permanent freshwater and brackish marshes and nearby riverine marshes at the mouth of the Sefid Rud in the southwest Caspian form Bujagh National Park. There are also open grassy areas and dunes near the mouth of the River. Bandar Kiashahr Lagoon lies immediately to the east of the mouth of the Sefid Rud River. The wetlands have been designated as a Ramsar Site and are included in the National Park.

Importance for the Siberian Crane. Bandar Kiashahr Lagoon and the mouth of Sefid Rud are good representative examples of natural wetlands characteristic of the South Caspian Lowlands. This territory can be considered as a potential wintering site of the Siberian Crane. It is suitable for release and establishment of new wintering area in Iran.

Importance for other waterbirds. Bujagh National Park hosts more than 100,000 migratory waterbirds annually. It provides important wintering habitat for Pygmy Cormorant and globally threatened waterbirds including Sociable Lapwing (CR), White-headed Duck (EN), Dalmatian Pelican (VU) and Lesser White-fronted Goose (VU). The site supports large breeding colonies of several species of waterfowl, including over 1% of the Middle East breeding population of Great Cormorant. It also hosts over 1% of the regional wintering populations of Black-necked Grebes, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls.

Map of Bujagh National Park   [PDF 665 KB]
WCASN  Site Information Sheet. Part I   [PDF 1,316 KB]
Ramsar Site Information Sheet     [PDF 155 KB]   
Sheet of Important Bird Area of Birdlife International
World Protected Areas Database
Factsheet of Bujagh National Park     [PDF 283 KB]