Building peace in the minds of men and women

Geno

The Geno Biosphere Reserve is situated in the very south of the Zagros Mountains, close to the Persian Gulf and the Hara Biosphere Reserve. In Geno, the warm and humid region of the Persian Gulf in the west and the arid deserts of central Iran are separated by mountains reaching an altitude of more than 3,000 meters above sea level. In this biosphere reserve, the change of vegetation with elevation and varying microclimatic conditions can be observed very well. Several hot springs are located in the valleys.

In 2000, about 40,300 people lived in the biosphere reserve who are mainly engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, labouring and small industries and tourism.

Main problems for the implementation of the biosphere reserve concept come from overgrazing, land use changes for agriculture and forestry, illegal hunting, traffic and unorganized tourism. A research and monitoring station is situated within the biosphere reserve. Read more about this reserve on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve website.