The private sanctuaries are wildlife habitats that is licensed to a person or group for a period of 5 or 10 years who can conserve and exploit the wildlife, he explained.

The total area of private sanctuaries is a total of 280,000 hectares, which has led to the direct employment of 30 people, and these people have also invested a considerable amount in protection equipment, he stated.

He went on to say that the population of prominent wildlife species such as the wild goats and urials in these habitats has increased 1.5 to 4 times after a period of 8 to 9 years, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

In recent years, the DOE has tried to use international experience and domestic law enforcement tools to use the capacities of the non-governmental sector in the development of wildlife protection and their sustainable use, especially in natural areas outside the four areas under management (protected areas), he also noted.

Importance of environmental protection

There are 1,300 species of animals in the country, 130 of which are endangered and threatened, Akbari said in December 2021.

Over 10,000 environmental violators are arrested on average annually. Asiatic cheetahs, great bustards, Siberian cranes, Persian onagers, and some reptiles and amphibians are among the endangered and threatened species, he said.

Significant smuggling and habitat destruction are the main threats to the species, and promoting a culture of kindness to the environment and strengthening social participation is one of the most important and effective strategies in protecting the environment, he explained.

The availability of large quantities of weapons and ammunition to the poachers is another risk factor for wildlife populations, Akbari added.

To preserve the existing biodiversity over the wide geographic expanse of Iran, four types of areas have been designated for preservation and protection, including, national parks, wildlife refuges, protected areas, and natural national monuments. In 1997, the DOE held supervision over 7,563,983 hectares of such areas.

Currently, the supervised areas reached about 18.5 million hectares, including, 30 national parks, 170 protected areas, 45 wildlife refuges, and 37 national natural monuments.

Iran has a high diversity of species due to geographical conditions, climatic diversity, huge water resources of the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf, and the Sea of Oman in the south.

According to the latest studies, about 1,300 species of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic fish, about 30,000 species of invertebrates, and 8,000 species of plants have been identified in the country.

Unfortunately, over the past two decades, human activities have led to alarming degradation of ecosystems, deletion of genes, species, and biological capabilities; Human threats to biodiversity have accelerated the most over the past 50 years over the entire history of human life.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) – The water level at Lake Urmia, northwestern Iran, currently stands at an elevation of 1,271 meters above sea level, which is 71 centimeters more than the water level on the corresponding date of last year, a senior official said.

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According to the index, the air quality in major cities like the capital Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, Arak and Ahvaz is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and unhealthy for all groups in Hamedan, Sepehrnia said, IRNA reported.

Air pollution will increase in the coming days in Tehran, IRNA quoted an official of the country’s meteorological organization as saying.

During the week, the government closed all schools in Tehran and adjacent regions till Sunday due to heavy smog. A brief rain cleared the air somewhat, but the new warning indicates the serious health hazard will not end soon.

The meteorological expert told IRNA that most of the country will experience calm atmospheric conditions in the coming week, which will contribute to rising air pollution, as particles will accumulate instead of getting dispersed by wind or rain.

Many Iranian cities suffer from a variety of pollution and smog problems, some due to natural phenomena, such as heavy sandstorms mixed with dangerous particles, or purely manmade reasons.

Tehran’s mayor spoke of plans to evacuate the population if pollution reaches highly dangerous levels.

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Under the five-year plan, Zagros Mountain neighboring provinces are assigned with specific tasks, including planting seedlings on 85,000 to 100,000 hectares of the forest, which will be carried out in the current year, he explained.

He went on to say that the plan kicked off on May 22 in Ilam province. “Actions to be taken in Zagros forest and the priorities are outlined in the plan, most notably the issue of aquifer and watershed management, conservation and reforestation.”

“Forest enrichment and development along with controlling pests and diseases are among other objectives of the plan,” he added, Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

He highlighted that a total budget of 6.5 trillion rials (around $155 million) has been earmarked for the plan.

Aqaei noted that about one-third of our commitments in the provinces have been fulfilled, adding that the remaining two-thirds will also be implemented in the coming months.

Referring to watershed management plans, he said that this year, some €150 million from the National Development Fund has been allocated, which is being implemented in more than 10,000 locations around the country.

According to Aqaei, watershed projects will be conducted on 1,033 basins constituting 90 percent of the country’s cities. Parts of the measures are being taken in southeastern Kerman and northern Mazandaran provinces.

Pointing out that these projects have so far completed by 55 percent, he concluded that most of these projects will be accomplished by February 16, 2020.

Earlier in July, Aqaei said that given that Zagros forest’s condition is worrisome being gravely threatened by wood logging, it must become the main concern of the related bodies to prevent it from disappearance.

Zagros Mountain forest steppe ecoregion with an area of about 6 million hectares (3.5 percent of Iran) is located primarily in Iran, ranging northwest to southeast and roughly paralleling the country’s western border. The forests constitute 40 percent of the country’s forested area and are stretching over 12 provinces. These forests have also been called western oak forests, due to the dominance of oak species.

According to the Science Direct Western, oak forests are home to many species including, the Persian squirrel which is the indicator species of this region. Persian squirrels and oak trees have symbiotic relationships, in which forests provide ecological requirements of Persian squirrels such as food and shelter and, in return, the Persian squirrel contributes in seed germination and forests’ regeneration.

A wide variety of wildlife, including wolves, leopards, and even the Persian fallow deer which was once thought extinct have made their homes in the mountains.

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