One of the most beautiful and largest freshwater lakes in Iran and the Middle East, which is one of the natural attractions of the green city of Kazerun, Fars, is located in the upper part of Kazerun city, 15 km northeast of it, which is called Parishan and is called Parishoon in the local language. And has other names such as Shur, Eun, Moore, Tuz, Kazerun, Parisham. Parishan Lake is located 3 km from Ayazabad village, which is located 12 km from Kazerun. The lake is surrounded by mountains. The distance from the lake to the mountain from the north is about 4 to 5 km and from the south is about 500 meters and 18 km is the maximum area observed from it and this volume, in summer becomes swampy and minimal. The lake is located between 51 degrees and 44 minutes and 51 degrees and 51 minutes east longitude and 29 degrees and 32 minutes and 30 seconds north latitude. Its area is 4300 hectares and its height above sea level is 820 meters. Its catchment area is 266.5 square kilometers and has the largest area in May. This lake is also registered in the list of international wetlands and is one of the important habitats of the country. This has led to the lake being declared a protected area. The average water depth of this lake is 6 meters, which in some years goes down to 2 meters. This lake has the ability to hold surface water resulting from the fall of the basin in an area of 2 square kilometers. Of the above area, 147 square kilometers are plains and 116 square kilometers are mountains and foothills. Although the lake water is fresh, it is not used for drinking because it is not suitable. Fish live freely inside the lake, so it is used as a place for fish farming.
The lake is one of the sustainable ecosystems created by tectonic factors that has maintained its condition for millions of years and has 4 species of native fish called turmeric, redfish, perch and freshwater fish. There are also several imported fish such as carp, Phytophthora and Amur fish that were introduced to the lake in 1989. Only common carp have adapted to the conditions of the lagoon, and the other two species have caused many problems in the lagoon.
This lake is home to rare species of birds and aquatic animals such as Derna, pelicans, flamingos, geese, ducks, terns, etc. Parishan is the only freshwater lake on the Iranian plateau with a water depth of 3.5 to 5 meters. The important features of this lake are not because of its tasty fish and fresh water, but it is considered very important and important from the ecosystem point of view because it accommodates 353 species of native and non-native birds. Also due to its fresh water, it is one of the suitable habitats for migratory birds from cold lands. The lake’s non-native and migratory birds travel long distances, from Siberia, Canada and Denmark, and return to their original habitat after a season. According to some narrations, many lions lived in this area in the past, but no lions have been seen in this area for many years, and their generation has become completely extinct due to overhunting and environmental factors. As a more complete explanation, in the past, the Asiatic lion used to occur in this place, besides other parts of Iran. Nowadays, in the wilderness of Eurasia, the only members of this race of lions occur in and around Gir Forest, in Kathiawar Peninsula, India.
Due to the location of Parishan Lake near the vast vegetation and forested mountains, it has acquired a very amazing and indescribable charm and beauty. One of the visual attractions of this lake is its surroundings in the high mountains of the Zagros, which has created a very beautiful view for visitors. There are several villages around this lake. The lake is surrounded by magnificent reeds, which unfortunately most of these reeds have been destroyed by fire. From west to north and south, the wetland bed is completely covered with salt-loving plant species (halophyte) of the family Conopodiaceae (Spinach). Turmeric shrubs are growing significantly due to the declining groundwater aquifers. During the migration season, migratory waterfowl are observed near the lake. The sound of birds is the only sound that can be heard in this lake and it is so obvious that all the nests of different birds can be seen up close. The flowers and pastures that exist on the shores of this lake have created a beautiful natural promenade, and the autumn and spring effects have given extraordinary charm to this lake. The environmental values of this lake are very significant.
The incoming water of this lake is supplied from the boiling of its bed springs and the water obtained from the adjacent springs in the Famour or Arjan plain or the seasonal rains and the flow of water flowing from the mountains adjacent to the lake.
In the distance from the lake to the mountain, from the north, Maliki village (Helk, Qalat Nilo Dehpagah, Parishan), Sisakht village, Arab Famour village and from the south, Nargeszar castle and in the west of the lake, Ayazabad, Shahrjanjan and Zavali are located. There are a number of small caves facing the lake on the summit of mount Famour. Especially in spring and autumn the landscape is magnificent with interesting vegetation and wildlife. You may either resort to camping or staying in Pol-Abgineh village west of the Lake. The lake is calm and quiet throughout these two seasons, but with the introduction of late fall winds it displays weeks of turbulence, hence the name – in Persian Parishan means turbulent.
These days, This lake is in danger because of burning the huge amount of reeds around itself and because of building operations. During these burnings many turtles and migratory birds destroyed. Also the huge part of this lake because of the recent droughts came to be dry.
