Dena Biosphere Reserve with a general slope of more than 60 percent, where changes in temperature are most common, a fall of temperature by -25 C in winter is not far from reality. Snow is common throughout the ranges in that season and some higher peaks remain snow-covered throughout the year.

Mount Dena, with an 80 km length and 15 km average width, is situated on the boundary of the Isfahan, Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari provinces of Iran.

Mount Dena has more than 40 peaks higher than 4,000 meters. With an elevation of 4,409 meters above sea level, Qash-Mastan is the highest peak in the Dena Range and in the Zagros Mountains in general. Another known peak in this range is Hose-Daal close to the city of Sisakht, 30 km to the north of Yasuj.

The region contains a globally significant ecosystem, species, and genetic biodiversity. The area is characterized by extreme topographical and climatic conditions, which have led to an eye-catching diversity of ecosystems and habitats over a small geographical area, according to the UNESCO website.

Dena is home to a vast range of plant species and several endangered and endemic mammal species. Oak species dominate the highlands, while pistachio and almond are common at lower elevations. Also, hackberry, walnut, and pear trees are scattered throughout this eco-region.

A variety of animal life, such as brown bears, eagles, wolves, various wild cats including caracals, lynxes, and leopards, and wild goat have long made their homes in the region. On the other hand, many large rivers, including the Karun, Dez, and Karkheh originate from the area, flowing into the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea. Scenic waterfalls, pools, and lakes add beauty to the mountainous landscape.

Dena is situated on the boundary of three different provinces in the west of Iran and in 2006 the number of residents was estimated as 27,197 individuals, among which 4,070 individuals live in the northern part and 23,127 in the southern part of the reserve. Dena is under the supervision of Kohkeloyeh-Boyerahmad province.

Three different zones (Core, Buffer, Transition zone) are situated at the periphery of Sisakhat (Pataveh portion), Boyerahmad (Central portion), and Semirum (Padena portion) townships. Notably, the Dena Biosphere Reserve also served as one of the world’s earliest cultural habitats for both plant and livestock domestication as of 10,000 years ago. Till now the vast majority of people practice a nomadic lifestyle.

The cultural diversity of the local communities, including the nomad communities are manifested by their languages, traditional production activities, including herding and hunting, food products, dresses, festivals, dances and weaving, and other crafts including their knowledge about seasonal and long routes of migration for their livestock.

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Rear Admiral Khanzadi made the announcement while visiting the third naval region of the Iranian Navy.

Pointing to the importance of developing a maritime civilization in the shadow of sustainable security, Khanzadi said the construction of fully indigenous vessels is a sign of self-sufficiency of Iranian specialists.

“The Army in international waters, while waving the holy flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran and ensuring the security of sea lines in order to protect Iran’s interests, shows a manifestation of the country’s authority and pride,” the commander added.

Insisting on the need to strengthen the trans-regional presence of the Islamic Republic in international waters, he said, “All-Iranian Dena destroyer, which is a masterpiece, showing intelligence and talent of Iranian engineers and technologists to improve the naval capacity of the Navy fleet in the region will soon join the third naval region, stationed at Konarak.

The Navy commander noted that the capability of this force in all fields is constantly increasing to provide a way for the next generation of Iranian sailors to be able to carry out their assigned missions more easily and an important step towards the development of maritime civilization with the slogan of peace and friendship.

The Iranian Navy unveiled Dena destroyer through a virtual videoconference led by former President Hassan Rouhani on June 14.

The destroyer – which is named after one of the most famous mountaintops of the country – is equipped with various defensive and offensive systems, is designed to make long journeys in the oceans, and is capable of detecting, tracking, and hitting various aerial, surface, and submarine targets.

Dena is reported to weigh more than 1,300 tons, and is equipped with 4 cruise missiles ready to open fire at any threats. It is also capable of carrying helicopters on its deck.

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