Tis Jame Mosque, Chabahar

The Gandu Chabahar Protected Area is located on the border of Iran and Pakistan and is the habitat of the Gandu, the only native crocodile of Iran.

The Gandu Chabahar Protected Area
Introduction:
The Gandu Protected Area is located in the southeast of Sistan and Baluchestan Province and on the border of Iran and Pakistan.
This area covers an area of ​​456 thousand hectares.
A large part of the Gandu area is located in Chabahar and part of it is in the cities of Sarbaz and Nikshahr.
The Gandu Protected Area consists of reservoirs, rivers, mountains, plains and coastal lands along the Sea of ​​Oman.
Since 1960, this area has been protected under the name of Bahuklat Protected Area.
However, since 1982, its name has been changed to Gandu Protected Area.
The Gandu Protected Area has high potential in attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
Chabahar Gandu Protected Area

Specifications:
Now let’s examine the features and characteristics of this area:

Animal cover
Gandu Protected Area, as its name suggests, is the habitat of Gandu, the only native crocodile of Iran and the Iranian short-nosed crocodile.
The name Gandu was given to this animal by the natives of the region.
Gandu in the Balochi language means walking on the belly.
The English name for this animal species is Mugger.
The wetland crocodile or Gandu lives in shallow ponds along the river.
This crocodile can even go several meters under the pond during dry periods.
If we ignore this area, we would witness the extinction of this unique animal.
Now, species of Gandu live in Iran, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Floods, droughts and the swallowing of the babies of these animals by adult crocodiles are considered natural factors threatening their lives.
Using pond water, digging canals, creating chemical pollution in the water, and generally destroying the habitat of this animal are the most important human threats to their lives.
Fortunately, the people of Sistan and Baluchestan province consider the existence of crocodiles a blessing and do not hunt these animals under any circumstances.
According to the latest census, 201 short-nosed crocodiles live in the Gandu protected area.
However, considering that the gandoos do not like to show themselves, it is estimated that the number of gandoos in this area reaches 400.
In addition, the Gandu protected area is also a nesting site for green sea turtles.
Other animals found in this area include the javelin, northern palm squirrel, black bear, Indian gray weasel, houbara, draug, lizard, and many birds that are more commonly seen in the Indian subcontinent.
The presence of the Sarbaz and Bahuklat rivers in this region has also led to the identification of more than 12 species of fish.
In general, according to the studies carried out, 28 out of 160 species of mammals in Iran, 192 out of a total of 515 species of birds in Iran, and 71 out of 209 species of reptiles in Iran have been identified in this region.
Vegetation
Most of the valleys in this region are covered with trees and shrubs.
A variety of tropical trees, foothill steppes, and some cold-hardy plants can be seen on the way from the slopes to the summit.
In the plains of the Gando Protected Area, there are plants such as acacia, frankincense, kahor, istabarq, baneh, and almonds.
Banana and mango are among the tropical fruits seen in this region.
The presence of the wetlands of the Gulf of Guatem and mangrove forests has also added to the importance of this region.

Visiting information:
Although rhinos are social animals and do not harm humans, try to avoid getting too close to them.
Never feed these animals with your hands.
Never approach them while they are sleeping.

You can get to know other tourist attractions in Chabahar on Asan-e-Targah.