Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
This is a mountainous area in the Zagros range located close to the Iranian border, dominated by rocky slopes and wooded valleys. The geology here is basic igneous rocks, radiolarian chert, siliceous and calcareous shale, and metamorphic schist and limestone of unknown age, and the soil type is sandy clay
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the survey period, 67 species were recorded. In addition to those listed in the table above, European Roller Coracias garrulus (Near Threatened) was present in the breeding season.
Other Important Fauna: Two locals, who were interviewed separately, stated that a local hunter killed a large cat in 2002, which would most likely have been a Persian Leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor (Endangered). Hunting may be rather restricted in the region overall due to the presence of minefields. The most significant amphibian found during the surveys was the Kurdistan Newt Neurergus microspilotus (Critically Endangered). No fish data were collected due to high water flows.
The two main habitats at the site are oak woodlands and mountain riverine forest.
A large spring and waterfall, joined by streams coming down from higher elevations, make up the headwaters of the Zalm Stream, a large fast-moving waterway that flows towards the Tanjero River and into Darbandikhan Reservoir. Several villages are situated in the narrow valley, the largest being Khurmal. While the area has been known for poor security in the past, it remains a popular tourist spot. The waterfall and upper stream are reached by a narrow gravel road, which begins at a large parking and popular picnic area further down the valley (a larger road was under construction in 2010). During the spring and summer, many teashops and other shops line the upper stream below the waterfall. There are vineyards, pomegranate and walnut orchards, and wheat and barley farms along the valley. The villages around the stream use the water for drinking and other domestic usage.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
This area is chiefly impacted by human intrusion hence given a very high threat. Threats assessed as high are: construction and development, road construction and transportation, hunting, canalization due to irrigation and pollution , particularly from tourism. Water is also diverted from the falls to the settlements below and for hydropower, and villages discharge sewage into the water. The northeastern part of the site beyond the waterfall suffers less disturbance from tourism as it is close to the Iranian border and is heavily mined.
Despite security problems in the past, the site attracts many visitors, leading to garbage and sewage-related problems. The upper part of the falls has been surrounded by chainlink fencing (possibly for safety reasons). The local government has begun developing new roads and expanding the old road to accommodate tourism, which in turn will increase the threat from human intrusion, as well as erosion and habitat destruction along these transportation corridors. Shops along the waterway have paved, trampled or otherwise destroyed much of the near-stream riparian areas. Locals have, in the past, generated some income by driving visitors up the valley closer to the falls in 4WD vehicles.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ahmed Awa (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ahmed-awa-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.
