Kiyakalayeh Wetland in Langarud, with its unique landscapes and pristine nature, is an excellent destination for tourists, but its rapid destruction is a cause for concern.
If you enjoy romantic movies, you have probably often seen a scene featuring a lake with a wooden walkway stretching halfway into the water, combined with a sunset creating a beautiful romantic view. Today, we want to take you to a place right here in Iran where you can experience such a beautiful scene: Kiyakalayeh Wetland (Kia Kelayeh) in the city of Langarud.
This wetland is a place where you can immerse yourself in beauty and nature and witness a high diversity of plant and animal species. However, it is better to prioritize visiting this wetland soon because at the current rate of destruction, the Kiyakalayeh Wetland might soon cease to exist.
This wetland is located in Gilan Province, south of Langarud. Locals refer to it as the Kiyakalayeh Pond. It used to be one of the largest wetlands in the country.
The wetland is situated close to the urban area, which has not helped its preservation but instead led to encroachment by urban structures and has become a site for waste and sewage disposal. In the past, this area was about 300 hectares, but today it has almost halved to 150 hectares. Urban expansion and population growth have accelerated the destruction of this wetland, and perhaps in a few years, there will be no trace left of this beautiful area.
However, despite these downsides, there are many beautiful aspects. To the north of the wetland lies the urban fabric, but on the other sides, there are rice fields and foothills that create a stunning landscape. The view you see beside this wetland is unique and you can capture some of your best photographs here. So if you enjoy photography, don’t forget your camera. Its proximity to the urban area has also turned this place into a recreational complex filled with various amenities.
As mentioned, this wetland is in Gilan Province, south of Langarud city. The Lahijan to Rudsar road passes right next to this complex. When this road reaches Langarud, it is known as Saadi Boulevard. If you travel from west to east (from Rasht to Rudsar), after entering Langarud and passing Shahid Noorani Square, you can see Kiyakalayeh Wetland on your right.
Kiyakalayeh Wetland is open to visitors for the first nine months of the year and closes during winter. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn — spring when everything is lush and green, and autumn when the overcast skies and fall colors create a mysterious atmosphere.
This wetland’s presence in the area has created a high diversity of plant and animal life around it. Moreover, the Kiyakalayeh Pond holds great value for local and indigenous people.
The water used for irrigating surrounding agricultural lands and rice fields is supplied entirely by this wetland, which alone highlights its importance.
Besides its economic and livelihood significance, the presence of poplar trees and various plants around the wetland plays a crucial role in preserving the environment. Floating water lilies add to the beauty of the area and captivate every eye.
Various birds have chosen this place for their habitat. Birds such as herons, redshanks, wagtails, terns, and gulls are permanent residents of this wetland.
The first and most important activity you will enjoy here is simply admiring the beauty. A calm and still wetland with water lilies dancing on the surface, special birds flying above it, and a nature that makes you feel good and romantic. Watching and birdwatching are among the main activities in this area.
Such a unique combination and the special beauty of the region make it an excellent place for photography. The reflection of the sky on the wetland combined with the beautiful nature creates a magical frame.
In addition, due to its proximity to the urban area, various other amenities and recreational facilities are available here. This area has essentially turned into a park where you can find an amusement park, an artificial pool, a football field, a basketball court, and a motocross track. You can also find accommodation, restaurants, and traditional teahouses around this area.
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that if you intend to visit this place, it is better to do so soon. Perhaps in a few years, there will be no sign of the wetland left, and only a small pond will remain. Land grabbing, construction projects, municipality developments, and even the addition of recreational complexes such as the motocross track have caused significant damage, and the wetland is disappearing day by day. In some parts of the area, municipal and hospital waste is also dumped, which harms the nature and biodiversity of the region.
