Bandar Khamir is a port city located along the Persian Gulf in Iran. Khouran Straits is the largest marine wetland in the Middle East and is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, national protected area, and Important Bird Area (IBA), with extensive mangrove forests, intertidal silt flats, saltmarshes, and numerous estuarine creeks and islands. Shallow saline waters support growths of red and brown algae, while the intertidal mangroves provide habitat for crustaceans- an important food source for waterbirds. It is particularly valuable for large nesting colonies of Ardeidae (herons, bitterns, etc.) as well as passage and wintering waterbirds, including the endangered Dalmatian Pelican.

The Local Wetland Management Committee is comprised of representatives from governmental organizations (municipality, environment, fisheries, maritime, natural resource, tourism and education department) and non-governmental entities (NGOs, public, volunteering groups). This committee shapes policies, action plans, and assigns duties for members. This committee allocates resources for ensuring execution of the action plans and programs. On a seasonal basis, the committee reviews and controls the progress of plans and expected results.

The combination of regulatory measures, stakeholder engagement, and scientific input reflects a holistic approach to wetland governance, ensuring the sustainable management of wetland resources. The city uses frameworks and tools such as zoning regulations, permitting system, forming specialized working groups (focusing on specific aspects like ecological conservation, tourism, or education), ensuring comprehensive wetland management, engaging scientific experts to conduct research and monitoring, implementing educational initiatives and raising awareness about wetland importance, among others.

The Bandar Khamir CEPA Center serves as the focal point for implementing the comprehensive education initiative that is aimed at raising awareness about wetlands. This central hub orchestrates diverse learning and educational activities across various domains. The expansive learning programs are designed to empower locals, particularly those whose livelihoods are intricately tied to the wetlands. These programs target a wide spectrum of individuals, including boatmen, tour leaders, hotel and eco-home owners, restaurant and taxi employees, managers, handicraft producers and sellers, as well as local NGOs, activity organizers, volunteers, visitors, and all other stakeholders invested in the well-being of the wetlands.