Bijan Farhang Dareshuri Information

Bijan Farhang Dareshouri, born in 1943 in Gachsaran, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran, is a distinguished Iranian environmentalist, ecologist, nature photographer, and researcher. A member of the Dareshouri tribe of the Qashqai nomadic people, he has made significant contributions to environmental conservation in Iran, particularly in the establishment of the Middle East’s first geopark in Qeshm and the protection of endangered species such as the hawksbill sea turtle.

Early Life and Education

Bijan Farhang Dareshouri was born into the Dareshouri tribe of the Qashqai, a nomadic group known for their deep connection to nature and traditional ecological practices. He completed his primary education in his hometown of Gachsaran under the guidance of Mirza Mahmoud. He later attended secondary school in Gachsaran and Shiraz, graduating from Abuzar formerly Shapour High School in Shiraz. In 1962, he was accepted into the medical program at Shiraz University but switched his major in 1963, ultimately earning a degree in agricultural engineering in 1968. His upbringing in the Qashqai tribe, with its intimate relationship with nature, profoundly influenced his passion for environmental conservation.

Career

Dareshouri began his environmental work in 1971, coinciding with the establishment of Iran’s Department of Environment. For 27 years, from 1971 to 1997, he served as a key figure in the organization, collaborating with global environmental experts to study Iran’s ecosystems. His work included identifying numerous species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and plants, as well as contributing to the designation and management of Iran’s protected areas and national parks.

In 2000, Dareshouri took on the role of head of the Environmental Department of the Qeshm Free Zone, where he spearheaded transformative conservation initiatives. His most notable achievement was founding the first geopark in the Middle East on Qeshm Island, a UNESCO-recognized site that showcases the island’s unique geological and ecological features. He also led efforts to protect the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in Qeshm, initiating a conservation program in 2002 in collaboration with the JEF/SGP Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility. This program, centered in Shibderaz village, saved the turtle population from extinction and became a model for community-based conservation.

Dareshouri’s ecological photography has also been instrumental, with 18 new species identified in Qeshm based on his photographs. He discovered the world’s longest and most beautiful salt cave in the Qeshm Geopark, breaking a global record by 500 meters. Additionally, he pioneered the construction of artificial coral reefs inspired by natural designs, earning global recognition, and led efforts to restore mangrove forests Avicennia marina with the help of local women and schoolchildren.

His work in identifying a native subspecies of mountain gazelle Gazella gazella dareshurii on Farur Island was honored by naming the subspecies after him, recognizing his contributions to Iranian biodiversity. In 2008, he was named Iran’s Environmentalist of the Year and received the White Rooster Award for his lifelong dedication to conservation. In 2016, the Dareshouri Biodiversity Conservation Fund for the Middle East was established in Qeshm to support researchers and conservationists, honoring his legacy.

Key Contributions

• Establishment of the Middle East’s First Geopark: Founded the Qeshm Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized site, enhancing conservation and ecotourism.
• Hawksbill Sea Turtle Conservation: Initiated a community-based program in Qeshm’s Shibderaz village to protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtle, preventing its extinction.
• Discovery of the World’s Longest Salt Cave: Identified a record-breaking salt cave in the Qeshm Geopark.
• Artificial Coral Reef Project: Developed innovative artificial coral reefs, earning global acclaim.
• Mangrove Restoration: Led reforestation of mangrove forests with community involvement, particularly women and schoolchildren.
• Biodiversity Documentation: Identified 148 mammal species in Iran, increasing the known count from 70–80, and documented numerous species of birds, reptiles, and plants.
• Ecological Photography: Discovered 18 new species in Qeshm through his photography.
• Gazella gazella dareshurii: Identified and had a native mountain gazelle subspecies named in his honor.
• Documentary Collaboration: Served as an expert and guide for the documentary Winter at the Crossroads 1978, focusing on Iran’s wildlife.

Selected Publications

• Guide to the Mammals of Iran co-authored with Fred Arland Harrington, 1974, documenting 148 mammal species
• Butterflies of Iran co-authored with Vazrik Nazari, 2004
• Nature of Iran co-authored with Nasrollah Kasraian, 2006
• Nature of Qeshm 2009
• Qashqai Range Management in press
• Bamou National Park 1992
• Bakhtegan Wildlife Refuge
• Golestan National Park Profile
• Multiple booklets on Iran’s protected areas, including Farur Islands, Gano National Park, and Bakhtegan Wildlife Refuge

Personal Life and Legacy

Dareshouri’s Qashqai heritage and nomadic upbringing instilled a deep respect for nature, which guided his 27-year tenure at Iran’s Department of Environment and his subsequent work in Qeshm. His frustration with systemic challenges, including insufficient legal and financial support for conservation, led him to leave the Department of Environment in 1997, as he expressed in a 2016 interview with Radio Farda, stating he “escaped to the mountains” after two decades of service.

His contributions have left an enduring impact on Iran’s environmental landscape. The establishment of the Dareshouri Biodiversity Conservation Fund and the naming of a geosite in the Qeshm Geopark after him reflect his lasting legacy. His work has not only preserved critical ecosystems but also inspired community participation and raised awareness about Iran’s biodiversity.

Awards and Honors

• Environmentalist of the Year 2008, Iran
• White Rooster Award, recognizing his contributions to environmental conservation
• Dareshouri Biodiversity Conservation Fund, established in 2016 to honor his work
• Naming of Gazella gazella dareshurii, a mountain gazelle subspecies, in recognition of his biodiversity efforts
• Naming of a Qeshm Geopark geosite after him