Conservation area of Horand

The conservation area of Horand is located in the district of Horand in the city of Ahar in East Azerbaijan province. Its geographical location goes E47°37" and N38°08" with a height of 1024 m above sea level.
The province of East Azerbaijan encompasses an area of 450,000 square kilometers, of which 188,000 hectares are covered in forests. Also, of 188,000 hectares , 164,000 hectares include the pristine forests of Ghara Dagh or Arasbaran which cover Ahar , Hurand, Kaleibar and Khoda Afarin.
13 hectares of the forests in the region of Ghara Dagh lie in the central district if Ahar and the district of Hurand. The region of Hurand contains high-rise mountains and various trees which would sweep away every visitor's eyes.
The mild mountainous climate of the place is quite exhilarating and delightful. In winters, short lasting frosts and cool and desirable weather along with the fairly warm summer with cool breeze would delight the visitors.
The natural forest of Tanbakulu is also situated there which is considered highly valuable with various plant species.
As a hub for sightseers, it gives a warm welcome to thousands of tourists every year.

Wildlife

The protected area is a habitat for animals which are sometimes unique in terms of diversity such as brown bear, wild boar, fox, jackal, wolf, lynx etc. and birds like partridge, Kabk Chil( a kind of partridge), Ji Jagh, red-beaked crow, and hunting birds such as golden eagle, hawk, etc.

Vegetation

The area includes various species of plants and unique trees of Sarkhdar, hornbeam, oak, sumac, walnut and hazelnut. Natural and pure sumac of the villages in Horand is a major produce.
13,000 hectares of the intact forests of Arasbaran, pastures as well as potential natural resources along with over 1,300 plant species well explain the significance of the region.

Boundaries

According to "و "clause of the 6 article of the regulations for protection and improvement of the environment in Horand, the limited areas are explained as follows which were put into force as of Bahman 15, 1390 for a five-year term:

Northward,

It starts from the village of Armak at coordinates of ٌ22 °47 east longitude and 38° 57' and turns clockwise along the ridge between the villages of Kerun and Ghara Darvish and ends up in the river of Ghara Su on the southeast of the village of Tikanlu.

Eastward:

It starts from the above mentioned area, which meets the forbidden hunting region of Gandiman in Ardebil province, and goes on along the river of Ghara Su and connects to the southwest border of Gandiman.

Southward:

Starts from the estuary of Ali Abad river, the aforementioned place, and going through the north of the villages of Taze Kand and Samid Bane meets the the west border.

Westward:

Goes on from the above area on the ridge and after passing from the west of Moradlu village and east of Huridragh village on to the west of Solidargh village and south of Mohammad A bad village, it reaches the borders of Kaleibar town. Then passing from the ridge of Hasht Sar heights, it goes by east of Meidanlar village and eventually ends up in the starting point i.e. the village of Armak.