Under the auspices of Pasargad Cultural Heritage Advocates Association, ‘Khersi’ (Bear) is introduced to the tourism industry to promote biodiversity of Pasargad county, Fars Province, CHN reported.
Since January 2014, bear hunting has been banned in an area of 166 hectares in the meadows of Pasargad county. The area has long been a habitat of the brown bear. The animal has been in a peaceful coexistence with locals and other wild life species of the region.
Chahbid and Khersi mountain pass are intact areas, attracting many eco-tourists each year. Travelers visiting the Pasargad historical complex, are encouraged to visit the area.
The recent drought has forced the bears of the area to climb down from upper reaches of the mountain, and to come to the lower gardens. This is not to say that the bears never descended down, but their visits have become more frequent these days. Thankfully, the locals remain in good terms with the brown animals, Amir Aqamir, active in environment and tourism of Pasargad said.
The bears give birth to two cubs in the winter. They are high in mountains in the summer. In the fall, they eat the fruits of the Persian turpentine tree, locally called ‘baneh’, but their love for peaches and apricots sends them down to the plains and gardens in April and May. Some 40 brown bears are spotted in the area each year. The existence of the bear is a sign of natural equilibrium, also indicating the existence of other animals.
To help protect the bear, a campaign has been initiated under the title of Khersi, which is diminutive for bear. Its promotional mascot is a brown bear called Khersi. The mascot is made of organic sheep’s wool. Khersi has a backpack containing information on how the animals can be protected. To emphasize the peaceful intention of the campaign, the mascot has a white wristband.
Khersi comes with local costumes. It also serves to promote the local handicrafts of Fars Province.
