قشم24

we are coastal communities of Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, and Hormuz Island we have been conserving our natural resources through traditional knowledge and customary management systems for hundreds of years

this document is our bio-cultural protocol which introduces our identity, lifstyle, natural environment, and our specific traditional knowledge and methods for natural resources management

This bio-cultural protocol contains the following titles

Where we are
Who we are type of settlement, social structure, livelihood, ceremonies, traditions, and believes, traditional custom, language, traditional foods
our ecosystems and their biodiversity marine & coastal, andterrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity
Where and how our cultural/ natural assets are recognized
Qeshm Geopark, protected areas, biosphere reserves, Ramsar sites, and Important Bird Areas (IBAs), Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), intangible cultural heritages, Hormuz Island soil carpet
Natural resources management systems traditional fishing methods, water resources management
Successful case studies in conservation and livelihoods

Where we are

Qeshm Island with an area of 1491 km2 is the largest island in the Persian Gulf. It is situated in the Strait of Hormuz, where Persian Gulf and Gulf Oman connect. The nearest mainland port to Qeshm Island is Bandar Abbas with 20km (10.8 nautical mile) distance. The closest point of the island to the mainland is Laft port which is located 1800km far from Pohl port in the mainland
Political divisions as well as ecological and cultural features, integrates Qeshm Island with three nearby islands: Hormuz, Hengam, and Larak. Hengam Island is 33.6 sq. km in area and is located facing the southern coasts of Qeshm Island. It is about 92 nautical miles from Qeshm city. The island is made of lime hills. Its biggest diameter from Old Hengam village to New Hengam village is 9 km. Larak Island has an area of 84.7 sq. km and is located 81 nautical miles from Bandar Abbas and 6 nautical miles from Qeshm city. It is located to the northeast of the city. Larak Island is made up of conical volcanic mountains. It has a number of salt springs and very beautiful beaches Hormuz Island has an area of 14.9 sq. km and is located 10 nautical miles southeast of Bandar Abbas. It is made of sedimentary and igneous stones while salt layers have covered big parts of the island in the form of hills. Its highest point is 186 m above the sea level and the biggest diameter of the island is 8 km
According to Islamic Republic of Iran political division, Qeshm, Hengam, Larak, and Hormuz Islands are placed in Hormozgan Province, Qeshm County

Who we are

Type of Settlement

There are 60 villages and 3 cities in Qeshm Island and most of the villages are spread in the west half of the island. Hengam Island contains three villages: Mashi (New Hengam), Old Hengam , and Ghil. The only residential part of Hormuz Island is Hormuz city. Larak-e Shahri is the only village in Larak Island
In the past, Qeshm local people used to migrate to their summering places inside the island or ports in the mainland (such as Minab city) in summer to manage their palm orchards or work in others’ palm orchards