Aimed at protecting suitable habitats for the rare species of houbara bustard as well as goitred gazelle and Pleske’s ground jay, this region was designated protected area in 1990. The area is located in Yazd Province and has an area of 229107 ha. The altitude range of 1200-3000 m, and mean annual precipitation and temperature of 200 mm and 15 C, respectively, have resulted in a temperate extra-arid climate. The desert environment along with adjacency to Shirkuh heighs have resulted in high biodiversity and the creation of beautiful desert, steppe and mountainous landscapes. Turk terebinth pistache, bean caper, sexual, tamarisk fig, wormseed,summer cypress, astragal, caterpillar plant, thyme, prickly thrift and milfoil are the main plant species of the region. Some of the animal species include wild goat, cheetah, Persian jird, jerboa, caracal, houbara bustard, chukar partridge, kite, buzzard, eagle, griffon vulture, saker, falco, Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise, monitor and dwarf sand boa. A number of Persian wild asses are also brought into the region, which are kept at the Kalmand wild ass rearing center. A research center focusing on houbarad is also active in the region.