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.
This plan, after discussing and being approved in working group of Integrated Management Plan for Meighan Wetland and also being approved in planning council of Markazi Governorship, has communicated to all provincial executive agencies in a letter No. 879235 dated December 5, 2016. The plan aims to create a single framework for planning and operating of the related national, provincial and local institutions in the catchment basin area, with taking into consideration the principles of the ecosystem management, regarding the important of, and the special and crucial ecological conditions of Meighan Wetland. Executive summary of the Integrated Management Plan for Meighan Wetland which is for facilitating study, making decision and also management decision making, is as follows.