By Mina Mosallanejad

• Miqan Wetland near Arak is a distinctive desert ecosystem, combining seasonal waters, salt flats and habitats for migratory birds.
• Following years of drought, substantial rainfall in spring 2026 restored the wetland’s 12,000-hectare water body, renewing hope for wildlife.
• Home to thousands of migratory birds, including cranes, Miqan is being considered for international recognition under the Ramsar Convention.

Located on the vast plains of Markazi province in central Iran, near the city of Arak, Miqan wetland is one of Iran’s most distinctive natural ecosystems.

Combining the characteristics of a desert wetland, a seasonal lake, and a salt-rich landscape, it provides a remarkable habitat for migratory birds and native wildlife.

Its ecological significance extends far beyond its immediate surroundings, making it an important natural asset for biodiversity conservation and environmental stability in central Iran.

Following years of drought and declining water levels, the wetland received a welcome boost from substantial rainfall in late winter and spring 2026.

The resulting recovery offered renewed hope for its wildlife and highlighted the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem.

A vast wetland in the heart of Iran

Miqan Wetland lies approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Arak, at an elevation of around 1,700 meters above sea level.

Its broader wetland landscape covers nearly 25,000 hectares, while the area occupied by water changes considerably depending on rainfall, incoming water, and seasonal evaporation.

The wetland’s water body can expand significantly during wet periods. According to Iran’s tourism information portal, its geographical features include three islands, surrounded by alluvial plains that form part of the wider wetland landscape.

Miqan receives water from rainfall, surrounding springs, and several watercourses, including the Qareh Kahriz, Farahan, and Shahrab rivers. These natural inflows help sustain the wetland, although the amount of water reaching it varies from year to year.

Shallow water, exposed salt flats, and surrounding vegetation give Miqan a distinctive appearance.

During wetter periods, the water spreads across the basin, creating feeding and resting areas for birds.

As the water recedes, salt formations emerge across the landscape, creating the striking white surfaces that characterize this desert wetland.

A major stopover for migratory birds

One of Miqan’s most important ecological functions is its role as a seasonal refuge for migratory birds.

Located along migration routes across central Iran, the wetland provides a valuable resting and feeding site for birds traveling from northern regions toward warmer areas during the colder months.

Among its most notable visitors is the common crane (Grus grus), a large migratory bird known for its impressive seasonal movements.

The wetland’s relatively open landscape and shallow-water habitats provide favorable conditions for cranes to rest and forage during migration and wintering periods.

Other birds reported in the Miqan area include flamingos, grey geese, ducks, teals, storks, herons, and various shorebirds.

The diversity of these species reflects the importance of the wetland’s different habitats, from shallow water and muddy margins to surrounding salt-tolerant vegetation.

The number of birds using the wetland varies with environmental conditions and the season.

Nevertheless, recent official figures underline its continued importance. In June 2026, Markazi province’s environmental protection chief reported that more than 20,000 resident and migratory birds had been recorded in the latest census of the protected hunting zone.

The same report noted that Miqan hosts approximately 12,000 migratory birds annually, including birds arriving from Siberia.

The figures reflect different reporting periods and survey scopes, but both point to the wetland’s value as a bird habitat.

According to information published by Iran’s tourism portal, Miqan supports a substantial proportion of the bird diversity recorded in Markazi province. Its combination of water, open feeding grounds, and relatively undisturbed areas makes it an important destination for seasonal bird movements.

Wildlife and vegetation beyond the water

Although migratory birds are Miqan’s most visible wildlife, the surrounding landscape also supports other animals and plant species adapted to its dry climate and saline soils.

Foxes, wolves, and snakes have been reported in the broader wetland environment. The surrounding plains and vegetation provide shelter and opportunities for foraging, helping sustain a wider ecological community beyond the seasonal lake itself.

The wetland’s plant life is equally distinctive. Salt-tolerant species, including Nitraria and saltbushes such as Atriplex, are characteristic of the surrounding landscape. These plants can survive in soils with high salt concentrations, where many other species struggle to grow.

One particularly important native plant associated with the area is qaradagh, a salt-tolerant shrub that grows across extensive stretches of land surrounding the wetland.

Its vegetation helps stabilize the soil and limit the movement of windblown sand, contributing to the ecological stability of the surrounding landscape.

Reeds, sedges, and other plants adapted to saline conditions also contribute to the diversity of habitats around the wetland. Together, these species help create a mosaic of environments that support birds and other wildlife while protecting the soil against erosion.

Why Miqan matters to the region

Miqan wetland is important not only because of its biodiversity but also because of its influence on the surrounding environment.

As a major natural feature in the Arak area, the wetland forms part of the region’s ecological system.

Its water body, surrounding vegetation, and salt flats interact with local climatic conditions, while its plant communities help stabilize the landscape and reduce the movement of loose soil and sand.

Maintaining a healthy wetland ecosystem is particularly valuable in a region where water availability fluctuates considerably.

Its significance is also reflected in recent conservation efforts. In June 2026, provincial environmental authorities announced that the formal process had begun to nominate Miqan for inclusion on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

The Ramsar Convention is an international framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. If Miqan secures designation, the recognition could strengthen its international profile and support more coordinated monitoring and long-term conservation efforts.

Spring 2026 rainfall brings renewed hope

After several years of drought, substantial rainfall across Iran in late winter and spring 2026 brought encouraging changes to a number of wetlands, including Miqan.

According to reporting published in May 2026, the Wetlands Protection Center of Markazi Province announced that the wetland had experienced a significant recovery following favorable precipitation.

Officials reported that its 12,000-hectare water body had been restored after years of drought.

The report also noted that the last occasion on which more than 100 million cubic meters of water entered the wetland was in 2019, when the entire basin became inundated.

The renewed water supply was particularly encouraging for migratory birds and other wildlife dependent on seasonal wetland habitats.

Expanded areas of shallow water can provide additional feeding opportunities and resting grounds, while improved moisture conditions can benefit vegetation around the basin.

A natural treasure worth protecting

Miqan wetland represents a remarkable meeting point between desert landscapes, seasonal waters, salt-tolerant vegetation, and migratory wildlife.

Its importance as a stopover for birds, its distinctive plant communities, and its contribution to environmental stability make it one of the most valuable natural ecosystems in Markazi province.

The recovery following the 2026 rainfall offers a positive reminder of the wetland’s capacity to respond when environmental conditions improve. The return of water creates opportunities for wildlife and reinforces the importance of protecting the natural processes that sustain the ecosystem.

With international recognition under consideration and renewed attention to its ecological value, Miqan has an opportunity to become an even stronger focus of conservation and environmental awareness.