The Hyrcanian forests are not merely an ecosystem—they are a living archive of Earth’s history. For 25 to 50 million years, they have withstood ice ages, droughts, and geological shifts. While recognized globally as a “natural heritage of humanity,” today they are burning—not due to nature, but because of human neglect and the inaction of officials whose role in safeguarding public resources remains unclear.
These forests, which survived the age of dinosaurs, now face unprecedented danger. The seeds of the Hyrcanian forests took root long before dinosaurs vanished. Once covering the entire temperate belt of northern Eurasia, they now remain only in a narrow strip between the Caspian Sea and the Alborz Mountains.
This invaluable heritage is collapsing, not from storms, lightning, or drought, but from neglect, lack of proper equipment, and ineffective management. Greed and mismanagement by irresponsible individuals and officials have pushed these ancient forests to the edge of destruction.
A Singular Treasure with No Equal
The Hyrcanian forests harbor more than 3,200 plant species and 580 animal species—from ancient Anjili trees to beech, elm, and boxwood. Around 300 bird species and 100 mammals live here, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
These forests act as a living shield for Iran’s climate: producing oxygen, regulating the air, protecting soil, and preventing floods. Their loss would be a blow that generations could never fully recover from.
Twenty Days of Fire, Eight Hectares Destroyed
The Elit wildfire has now entered its twentieth day. Over eight hectares of pristine forest at elevations between 1,400 and 1,800 meters have burned, with seedlings, shrubs, and fertile topsoil suffering the most damage. On the day the fire began, there was no lightning or electrical fault; authorities point to human activity as the most likely cause. A single careless act has reduced thousands of years of natural history to ash.
When Tools Are Insufficient, Fire Takes Command
Planes and helicopters have been deployed, yet these forests cannot be contained with the current resources. Water dropped from helicopters often lands on the old trees before reaching the flames. The Ilyushin aircraft cannot collect water directly from the Caspian Sea; it must fly to Tehran to refill, allowing the fire to spread further in the meantime.
Rangers warn that nine helicopters are required to control the blaze. This is the tragic reality: a global natural heritage is burning because our equipment and planning are inadequate. In short, there has been no foresight, no strategy, and no real concern from the authorities to protect the Hyrcanian forests.
People Armed with Shovels, Officials Armed with Silence
In past wildfires, local communities fought the flames with nothing but their hands and basic tools. Today, little has changed.
The inaction and sluggishness of authorities have intensified the damage. Warnings were ignored, pleas went unanswered, and the forest continues to shrink day by day. The judiciary has promised punishment for those at fault—but who is truly responsible? The one who withheld funds? The one who failed to equip the rangers? Or the lone forest guard standing atop the mountain with nothing but a shovel?
Hyrcanian’s Scars, Iran’s Scars
The destruction of the Hyrcanian Forest is more than the loss of trees—it is the collapse of a vital ecosystem. It signals the end of habitats for unique species, triggers soil erosion, increases flood risks, and diminishes the land’s resilience. Beneath the surface, fire smolders for weeks, ready to flare up with a single gust of wind. If urgent action isn’t taken now, tomorrow may already be too late.
