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Meighan Wetland is one of the highest salt flats in the center of the country and it is located about 8 km northeast of Arak city. This wetland is one of the most important habitats of native and migratory birds in the central of the country, and in winter it is stopover for large groups of migratory birds includes Common Crane which migrate from cold northern regions to the tropical southern lands. Meighan desert wetland, due to its proximity to Arak metropolis has a direct impact on the quality of water and air in this city. Meighan Wetland has indicated as a hunting prohibited area, by pursuing of Markazi Province Department of Environment in autumn 2008. This wetland has undergone some changes because of occurrence frequent droughts especially in recent years, building numerous earth dams in the upstream catchment basin, intensified exploitation of underground aquifers in surrounding areas, expansion of industries in its surroundings, changes in land use, mining, heavy grazing and other factors, which it will suffer irreparable losses if it receive no attention. Following to select Meighan Wetland as a pilot site to transfer experiences of Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project, Integrated Management Plan for Meighan Wetland has proposed during the three-year expert common work (2014 to 2016 years) and four consultative workshops.
Catchment basin of Meighan Wetland with an area of 549578ha is located at 33 49'29" -34 44'52" N and 49 22'13" -50 17'55" E, it’s as a closed bowl between Zagros and Central Iran mountains and all of its area is located in Markazi Province. A large part of the basin area of about 353800 ha is assigned to the plain and the rest is foothill and mountain. Average annual rainfall of Meighan Wetland catchment basin is 287 mm. Meighan Wetland is located in center of Iran at distance about 8 km northeast of Arak metropolis and 5 km southwest of Davudabad city. This wetland is a seasonal saltwater lake and a lowland desert area, and its marginal lands has covered by halophyte bush and shrub plants, sand dunes, alluvial fans and smooth plains.
