Hara Mangrove Forests:
The Hara mangrove forests of Iran’s Qeshm Island are facing a serious environmental threat after oil residues reached the island and parts of the protected mangrove ecosystem, amid continuing conflict and shipping-related oil spills in the Persian Gulf.
- Hara Forests located around Qeshm Island and the Khuran Strait near the Strait of Hormuz, the Hara forests are among the largest and most ecologically important mangrove ecosystems along the Persian Gulf.
- The forests are dominated by the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina), whose specialised root system helps it filter salt and survive in highly saline coastal waters.
- The forests serve as breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for fish, shrimp, crabs and other marine species, while also supporting migratory birds, marine mammals and critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles.
- The Hara forests form part of the UNESCO-designated Hara Biosphere Reserve, reflecting their ecological significance, while Qeshm is also recognised for its globally important geological and ecological heritage.
- Local fishing communities depend heavily on the surrounding marine ecosystem, while the mangrove waterways are also central to Qeshm’s sustainable tourism, supporting boat tours and nature-based livelihoods.
