Dasht-e Barm Forest (Persian: جنگل دشت برم), also known as Mian Kotal Recreation Area, is the largest oak forest in Iran and the Middle East."Oak Decline in the Dasht-e Barm Forests of Kazeroon", Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), 2024. It is located in the central district of Kazerun County, southwestern Iran."Dasht-e Barm", Madar Zamin, retrieved 17 November 2024. The forest is part of the Arjan and Parishan Protected Area, listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve."Efforts to identify the culprit who cut down an oak tree in Dasht-e Barm", ISNA, 2024."Arjan and Parishan Biosphere Reserve", Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, 2024.
The Mian Kotal protected zone, which forms part of this forest, is the main habitat of the Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica) and several other rare species."Mian Kotal of Kazeroon, the Promised Land of the Persian Fallow Deer", ISNA, 2024. Within the forest also lies the Mian Kotal Caravanserai, the only completely stone-built Caravanserai in Iran."The only stone caravanserai in Iran awaits restoration", Mehr News Agency, 2024.
Geography
The Dasht-e Barm Forest lies on the southernmost slopes of the Zagros Mountains in southwestern Iran, about 20 km east of Kazerun. Approximately 35 km of the Kazerun–Shiraz highway passes through this forest, making it one of Iran’s most scenic routes."Planting 800 oak saplings in the Dasht-e Barm region of Kazeroon", Mehr News Agency, 2024.
Area and elevation
Covering about 26,000 hectares, Dasht-e Barm is the largest oak forest in Iran and the Middle East."Clearing 2,000 hectares of the Dasht-e Barm forests from pests", Kazeroon Nema, 2024. Its elevation ranges between 1,500 and 2,400 meters above sea level."75% of oak forests in Fars Province have dried up", Mehr News Agency, 2024.
Flora
The forest has a rich vegetation cover dominated by oak (Quercus brantii), along with species such as wild almond, hawthorn, Persian maple, wild fig, blackberry, kikem, and wild pear."Dasht-e Barm is breathing its last", Hamshahri Online, 2024. It plays a significant ecological role in moderating the southern climate and is recognized as a protected area and biosphere reserve."The aging of the Zagros forests in Dasht-e Barm", Mehr News Agency, 2024.
During late winter and spring, the area is covered with poppies and narcissus flowers, and its snowy winters make it a popular tourist attraction and picnic destination."Dasht-e Barm", Madar Zamin, 2024."Snowy road in Dasht-e Barm, Kazeroon", Young Journalists Club, 2024.
Its high biodiversity has attracted botanical studies and plant sampling by both Iranian and international researchers."Oak Decline in the Dasht-e Barm Forests of Kazeroon", AREEO, 2024.
Fauna
The Mian Kotal protected area within the forest is the main habitat of the Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica). Other wildlife species include gazelle, mouflon, leopard, brown bear, partridge, wild boar, ibex, goat, wolf, hyena, red fox, jackal, and squirrels. Birds of prey such as eagle, falcon, hawk, vulture, owl, and eagle-owl are also common, while flamingo, pheasant, and nightingale are found in abundance. Historically, the forest was also home to the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica)."Birth of two Persian fallow deer in Mian Kotal", IRNA, 2024."Arrest of armed poachers in Dasht-e Barm highlands", ISNA, 2024.
Mian Kotal Caravanserai The Mian Kotal Caravanserai, located within Dasht-e Barm, is the only fully stone-built Caravanserai in Iran. It was constructed by order of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty and is therefore also known as the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai."Mian Kotal Stone Caravanserai", Kazeroon Negah, 2024. It is currently being restored and converted into a boutique hotel."Mian Kotal Caravanserai to be converted into a boutique hotel", ISNA, 2024.
Paragliding site The Mian Kotal paragliding site in Dasht-e Barm hosts recreational flights and national paragliding competitions."Paragliders flying over Parishan Lake, Kazeroon", IRNA, 2024.
Gallery
See also Kazerun Lake Parishan Zagros Mountains Arjan and Parishan Protected Area Fars Province Forests of Iran Wildlife of Iran Environment of Iran Persian fallow deer
References
Resources UNESCO. Arjan and Parishan Biosphere Reserve. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 2025-11-08. Ramsar Convention Secretariat. Lake Parishan & Dasht-e-Arjan. Ramsar Sites Information Service (RSIS). Retrieved 2025-11-08. Incredible Iran. The Most Beautiful Forests of Iran. Travel and Culture Blog. Retrieved 2025-11-08. Moradi, M. J.; Pourmajidian, M. R.; Tavankar, F. (2020). Detection of high potential areas of Persian oak forests: oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) tree decline in Dashte-Barm of Kazeroon, Fars Province. Cerne Journal 26(1): 104–112. Ahmadi, Shahram; Zahedi Amiri, Ghavamoddin; Marvie Mohadjer, Mohammad Reza (2016). Mapping Brant’s oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) mortality using geostatistical methods in Dasht-e Barm, Fars Province. FAO AGRIS Database. Jamali, Samad; Haack, Robert A. (2024). From Glory to Decline: Uncovering Causes of Oak Decline in Iran. Forest Pathology 54: e12898. Hosseini, Ahmad (2024). Drought-Induced Tree Decline Changed the Structure of Persian Oak Forests. Forestist 74(3): 327–332. Hosseini, Ahmad; Hosseini, Seyed M.; Linares, Juan C. (2023). Site factors and stand conditions associated with Persian oak decline in Zagros mountain forests. Forest Systems. DOI:10.5424/fs/2017263-11298.