Special budget allocated to protect biosphere reserves

TEHRAN – Two biosphere reserves, namely Golestan and Dena, will receive special funds in the national budget bill for the next calendar year (starting on March 20), IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Document on protection of felines inhibiting with cheetahs approved

TEHRAN – A national document on protection of felines inhibiting with cheetahs has been adopted in seven provinces of the country, IRNA reported on Saturday.

Shadegan wetland home to wintering migratory birds

TEHRAN – Shadegan wetland in the southwestern province of Khuzestan is now hosting flocks of migratory birds that came to spend the winter, IRIB reported on Saturday.

Jungle cat observed for first time in northwestern Iran

TEHRAN – After many years, for the first time, a jungle cat was observed in Assadabad plain located in northwestern Hamedan city, Mehdi Safikhani, deputy head of Hamedan department of environment has announced.

Jazmourian wetland hosting flocks of migratory birds

TEHRAN – Flocks of migratory birds, including flamingos, came to winter in Jazmourian wetland in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, despite parts of the wetland has been dried up.

Lake Urmia one step closer to revitalization

TEHRAN – A dam for transferring water to Lake Urmia will be inaugurated on Thursday, aiming to flow about 600 million cubic meters of water into the lake annually, another step to implement the lake’s restoration plan which started six years ago.

Lake Urmia’s surface area doubled in 6 years

TEHRAN – Lake Urmia’s surface area, has reached 2,785 square kilometers, indicating more than 100 percent rise compared to the lowest volume recorded in the Iranian calendar year 1393 (March 2014-March 2015).

‘Heroes of wetland protection’ to be introduced, honored

TEHRAN – On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, rangers who are making efforts toward protecting wetlands across the country will be praised.

Gandoman wetland hosting 30,000 migratory birds

TEHRAN – Over 30,000 migratory birds have come from their habitats in Central Asian countries and Siberia to winter in Gandoman wetland, southwestern Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province.

Northern forests save 3.6bcm of water annually in Iran

TEHRAN – The forests of northern Iran save 3.6 billion cubic meters of water annually, playing an important role in preserving the aquifers.

Red deer population rises in Golestan National Park

TEHRAN – The population of red deer in Golestan National Park, northern Golestan province, has increased to 612 in the current [Iranian calendar] year (began on March 20), an increase of 13 percent year on year.

Cities to be classified for climate change impact

TEHRAN –Cities across the country are to be classified in terms of feeling the impact of climate change so that solutions will be presented for cities experiencing more changes in temperature.

Campaign starts to protect migratory birds in Hour al-Azim wetland

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) has launched a campaign to protect migratory birds in the Hour al-Azim international wetland, southwestern Khuzestan province.

Injured wild goat gets help from vet

TEHRAN – In a rare case, a wild goat in the protected area of Dimeh in Khuzestan province went to a veterinarian for treatment after breaking a horn and infection, according to the provincial department of environment (DOE).

Electronic protection comes to Golestan National Park

TEHRAN – Golestan, the oldest national park in Iran, is struggling with environmental issues such as wildfire, so the Department of Environment (DOE) with the help of the Ministry of Communications, is trying to promote electronic protection through technological advances.

Firefighting centers to be established in 6 provinces

TEHRAN – Firefighting centers will be established over the next Iranian calendar year (starting on March 21, 2021) in six provinces of East Azarbaijan, Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Golestan, North Khorasan, and Khorasan Razavi, an official with the Department of Environment (DOE) has stated.

Lake Urmia revitalization budget rises by $76m

TEHRAN – A total of 3.2 trillion rials (nearly $76 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) was allocated to continue the Lake Urmia Restoration Program in the current Iranian calendar year (ending March 20, 2021).

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Wetlands: world’s most dynamic ecosystems

TEHRAN – Wetlands are important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people, aquatic species, and wildlife; so that is called the most biologically diverse and dynamic ecosystems of the world.

Golestan wetlands hosting first flocks of migratory birds

TEHRAN – The international wetlands in northern Golestan province are playing host to the first batch of migratory birds which traveled thousands of kilometers through the cold regions of Russian Siberia to winter in the country.

Habitat destruction, poaching endanger Asiatic black bear

TEHRAN – The Asiatic black bear, living in southeastern Iran and known “mam” in the Baluchi language, has biological, aesthetic, scientific, and educational values, but is being pushed towards extinction due to habitat degradation and illegal poaching.

SDSs affect 43% of wetlands nationwide

TEHRAN –Wetlands across Iran measure about 3.4 million hectares in area, 1.4 million hectares of which, equivalent to 43 percent, have become sand and dust storm (SDS) hotspots.

Migratory birds embark on winter trip to northeastern Iran

TEHRAN – The first group of migratory birds from Siberia landed in the wetlands of North Khorasan province to spend the winter, the head of the provincial department of environment has stated.

Iran-Russia environmental working group holds meeting

TEHRAN – Following a previously signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and Russia, the two countries held their second meeting of the joint environmental working group through a video conference.

Caracal Desert: habitat of the world's fastest cat

TEHRAN – From mountainous areas with scattered plains and hills to deserts with palm trees and sand dunes, all form part of Bafgh's protected nature. Let's get acquainted with Caracal and its wonders, one of the most famous deserts of Iran.

Northwestern wetlands hosting myriads of migratory birds

TEHRAN – With the onset of the cold season, wetlands in the northwestern province of Ardebil are hosting tens of thousands of migratory birds, Saeed Shahand, head of the provincial department of environment, has said.

Dena biosphere reserve displays natural uniqueness

TEHRAN – Dena biosphere reserve, located in the Central Zagros Mountains of Iran, is home to a vast range of plant species and several endangered and endemic mammal species that displays nature’s inspirations.

Tehran to host regional meeting on SDSs

TEHRAN – A meeting will be held in Tehran on Monday with representatives of neighboring countries in attendance to develop a plan for dealing with sand and dust storms (SDSs) in the region.