DOE opens Iran’s richest biodiversity museum

TEHRAN – The richest and most important biodiversity museum of Iran has been set up in the Department of Environment (DOE) after years of efforts and activities of Iranian researchers, IRIB news agency reported.

30 guidebooks compiled for environmental defenders

TEHRAN – A collection of thirty books for environmental defenders has been compiled, eleven of which published as the guidance and training packages, head of environmental education center at the Department of Environment (DOE), said on Wednesday.

Persian fallow deer breeding in favorable condition

TEHRAN – With a large population of 53, Persian fallow deer roam in the 55-hectare shelter of Dasht-e Naz, the most important breeding center for this species in the northern part of the country, so that the hope for returning them to natural habitat after several decades has increased.

Earthquake forms stunning lake in Iran 80 years ago

TEHRAN – Churat Lake, situated in the northern province of Mazandaran, was created in the aftermath of an earthquake in 1939.

Non-revival of Lake Urmia could cause $1,000 billion loss

TEHRAN – Although Lake Urmia’s revival will cost around $1.5 billion, not implementing the revival plan would inflict a loss of $1,000 billion to the country, Issa Kalantari, chief of the Department of Environment, has said.

Over $2m earmarked to revive Gulf of Gorgan

TEHRAN – A budget of 9 trillion rials (nearly $2.1 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been earmarked to revive the Gulf of Gorgan in the Caspian Sea, northern Iran.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

International Tiger Day: silent roar of Caspian tiger is regrettable

TEHRAN – Tiger is an endangered species whose surviving population in natural habitats is less than 4,000 individuals, and preventing them from extinction and preserving its habitat is one of the greatest concerns of the international community for the protection of biodiversity.

Unique biodiversity: five snake species endemic to Iran

TEHRAN – Many wildlife species in Iran are unknown to ordinary people. It becomes clear when a video of a spider-tailed horned viper goes viral on social media, and many people wonder whether this strange animal really lives in Iran.

Forest park in Tehran to turn into “ecopark”

TEHRAN – Tehran department of environment will transform Sorkheh Hesar forest park into an ecological park, IRIB news agency reported on Sunday.

$600m earmarked to rehabilitate Anzali Wetland

TEHRAN – A budget of 25 trillion rials (nearly $600 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated for the rehabilitation of Anzali Wetland, deputy interior minister Babak Dinparast has said, noting that the budget has not been provided yet, ISNA reported.

Endangered species reproduce at Kani Barazan wetland

TEHRAN – Some endangered bird species were observed along with newly-hatched chicks at Kani Barazan international wetland in the northwest of the country.

Iran warns sanctions hamper regional locust battle

TEHRAN – U.S. sanctions have hampered the implementation of a regional locust control program by Iran, and if the country fails to control the outbreak, the neighboring countries will also suffer, Somayeh Karimdoost, representative of the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan has said.

$370m spent to counter SDSs in 3 years

TEHRAN – Over the past three years, the government has spent about $370 million from the National Development Fund on fighting sand and dust storms (SDSs), Ali Mohammad Tahmasebi, head of the national working group for SDSs mitigation, said.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Mount Damavand Day: the iconic mountain is grappling with environmental issues

TEHRAN – Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran, is located northeastern Tehran, but today, it is facing many environmental problems and challenges.

Voluminous Taxus baccata spotted in Hyrcanian Forest

TEHRAN – The thickest-ever Taxus baccata L. (European yew) in Iran, which is said to be one of the most voluminous in the world, has been found in the northern Hyrcanian Forest.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Department of Environment’s protection unit has made notable achievements: commander

TEHRAN – Jamshid Mohabbat Khani, commander of the protection unit of the Department of Environment (DOE), elaborated on achievements of the protection unit and the environmental defenders in a press conference held on Tuesday.

Iran’s Hara forests, a key biosphere and protected wetland

TEHRAN – The Hara forests, covering an area of 27,310 hectares in southern Iran, is a key biodiversity site due to its remarkable Avicennia mangrove ecosystem.

Technology comes to help Asiatic cheetah protection in Iran

TEHRAN – Asiatic cheetahs’ habitats in the country will be equipped with satellite surveillance cameras to be constantly monitored online so that protection will increase, IRNA reported.

Drought may reverse Lake Urmia’s revival in coming years: experts

TEHRAN – Two Iranian scientists have warned that Lake Urmia’s revival trend may probably reverse over the coming years due to drought spells, though the lake has been filled mostly by the above-normal rainfall since the past crop year (September 23, 2019).

Reviving Lake Urmia hosting large flocks of flamingos

TEHRAN – Large flocks of flamingos are returning to Lake Urmia as the lake is being revived after years of dryness, ISNA reported on Thursday.

Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project finalized

TEHRAN – The third phase of the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project, which outlines key strategies for the next five years, was approved as a document of joint cooperation between Iran and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Endangered red deer population expands in northeastern Iran

TEHRAN – While the Caspian red deer population in Iran has declined by over 80 percent during the past 4 decades, the species population once again reached up to 500 in northeastern Golestan National Park due to suitable climatic conditions and environmental enthusiasts, the Park’s director has said.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Naybandan Wildlife Refuge: meet Iran’s largest remarkable sanctuary

TEHRAN – Naybandan Wildlife Refuge located in the eastern province of South Khorasan, with an area of 1,516,994 hectares, is the largest wildlife sanctuary to safeguard the habitats native animals need to survive and thrive in Iran; known as the most important habitat of the Asiatic cheetah.

Political will required to protect Caspian Sea environment, Iran says

TEHRAN – The Caspian Sea littoral states must have enough political will to preserve the marine environment and ecosystem of this waterbody, Issa Kalantari, head of the Department of Environment (DOE), has said.

Lake Urmia to be fully revived within 7 years

TEHRAN – With the complete implementation of two water transfer projects, Lake Urmia will be completely restored by the Iranian calendar year 1406 (March 2027-March 2028), the Department of Environment (DOE) chief has announced.

Protected areas to be added by 1m ha

TEHRAN – One million hectares of natural lands will be added to the country’s protected areas by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 2021), deputy chief of the Department of Environment (DOE) for natural resources and biodiversity has stated.

Iran ranks higher in environmental performance

TEHRAN – Iran has improved 13 spots in the 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), moving up to 67th place as compared to 80th two years ago.

Wildfire arsonists to face at least 10 years of imprisonment

TEHRAN – People who deliberately set fire to forests and pastures are sentenced to at least 10 years in prison, Reza Aflatooni, the deputy director of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization for legal affairs, has announced.

Persian fallow deer breeding site operating in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A breeding site in the northern province of Mazandaran is host to 53 endangered Persian fallow deer, IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Govt. earmarks $3.5m to extinguish wildfire in southwest

TEHRAN – The Planning and Budget Organization approved 150 billion rials (nearly $3.5 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) for the provision of equipment and flight services to extinguish a wildfire in southwestern provinces.